JP5723750B2 - Steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

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

As one of the steam sterilizers, a front opening chamber 4 provided in the sterilizer body and a lid 8 for sealing the front opening of the chamber 4 are provided, and a sterilization heater 5 is disposed at the bottom of the chamber 4. The water poured into the chamber 4 is evaporated by the sterilization heater 5 , and the sterilization process for sterilizing the object to be sterilized in the chamber 4 under high-pressure steam is performed. There is one that performs a drainage exhaust process and then performs a drying process that energizes the sterilization heater 5 (see Patent Document 1).

  In the steam sterilizer of this Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 1 of this Patent Document 1, a water supply filter 24 is attached to the bottom wall in the chamber 4, and water is injected into the chamber 4 through this water supply filter 24. Then, the water in the chamber 4 is drained.

JP 2009-291456 A

  Such a water supply filter 24 can be detachably attached to the filter case so that the water supply filter 24 can be inspected, cleaned and replaced in a normal configuration (the water supply filter shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). The lower part of 24) is screwed together, and the filter can be taken out by rotating and removing this cap.

  In the form of the steam sterilizer disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the water supply filter 24 is attached to the bottom wall in the chamber 4, when the sterilization operation is performed under high-pressure steam, Since it is the structure which can perform the operation which rotates a cap, if a cap is removed, we are anxious about high-pressure steam leaking out and accompanying a danger.

  In view of these points, the present invention prevents the water supply filter from being operated when the intended sterilization operation is being performed, and allows the water supply filter to be operated when the intended sterilization operation is completed. It is intended to be safe.

For this reason, in the present invention, when the intended sterilization operation is being performed, the water supply filter cannot be operated by the lid that closes the opening of the chamber, the intended sterilization operation is completed, and the lid is opened. in is to be able to operate the water filter.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a steam sterilizer in which a chamber having a front opening that is opened and closed by a lid is provided in a sterilizer body, and an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber is sterilized under high-pressure steam. A filter device through which water flowing through a water injection flow channel for passing water passes through a filter is provided in the sterilizer main body, and the filter device includes a main body casing portion that forms a filter chamber having a front opening, and a filter chamber in the filter chamber. A cap combined with the main body casing portion so as to close the front opening for accommodating and taking out is provided, and the cap is arranged to project forward from the sterilizer main body, and the lid is closed with the cap closed. It is characterized by being blocked by a lid.

A second invention is a steam sterilizer in which a chamber having a front opening that is opened and closed by a lid is provided in a sterilizer body, and an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber is sterilized under high-pressure steam. A filter device through which water flowing through a water injection flow channel for passing water passes through a filter is provided in the sterilizer main body, and the filter device includes a main body casing portion that forms a filter chamber having a front opening, and a filter chamber in the filter chamber. A cap that is removably combined with the front opening of the filter chamber for accommodating and taking out is provided, the cap is disposed in a protruding state from the sterilizer body toward the front, and the cap is closed with the lid closed. wherein the front end is in a state close to the extent that they can not remove the cap unless open the lid against the rear surface of the lid To.

  According to a third invention, in the first invention or the second invention, the filter has a cylindrical shape, the front end is attached to the cap, and the rear end is fitted to a fitting portion formed on the rear wall of the filter chamber. A space through which water flows is formed between the filter and a peripheral wall of the filter chamber, and a rear end of the main body casing portion is provided with a connection portion that communicates the water injection flow path with the inside of the filter. A side surface of the sterilizer is provided with a connection portion that communicates the interval between the water flow and the water injection channel, and the cap extends from the front plate of the sterilizer body into the interval between the lid and the front plate. .

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first invention to the third invention, the lid is held in a closed state by an interlock device during a sterilization operation.

  In the first invention, the cap combined so as to close the front opening of the filter chamber of the filter device provided in the sterilizer body is closed by the closed lid, so that the cap is removed unless the lid is opened. Therefore, it is suitable for preventing the high-pressure steam from flowing out in the chamber caused by removing the cap.

  In the second invention, since the cap protrudes forward from the sterilizer body and is close to the back surface of the closed lid, the cap is closed by the closed lid, so that the cap is removed unless the lid is opened. It is safe because the cap cannot be removed by abutting against the lid even if the cap is intentionally operated while the lid is closed.

  With the configuration of the filter device of the third aspect of the invention, the connection with the water injection channel is simple, and the configuration is excellent in the filtration configuration by the cylindrical filter and the attachment / detachment of the filter from the front surface of the sterilizer body. The effect of the second invention can be effectively achieved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lid is held closed by the interlock device during the sterilization operation, so that the cap can be kept closed by the lid during the sterilization operation, which is suitable for ensuring safety during the sterilization operation. Become.

It is a front perspective view of the steam sterilizer concerning the present invention. It is the front perspective view which opened the lid of the steam sterilizer concerning the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation panel of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation state which concerns on the closure detection switch before the lid | cover of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention closes, (A) is a state figure of the action | operation part of a lid side, (B) is a sterilizer main body side. It is a state figure of the slide piece. It is explanatory drawing of the operation state which concerns on the closed cover detection switch of the state which the lid | cover of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention closed in the regular closed state. It is explanatory drawing of the state before the lid | cover of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention closes, and a locking device act | operates to a locked state. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the lid | cover of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention closed, and the locking device act | operated to the locked state. It is explanatory drawing of the state which the lid | cover of the steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention closes, and the interlock mechanism is in an interlock state. It is a piping block diagram of the high pressure steam sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the filter apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows the internal structure of the filter apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a vertical plane view which shows the internal structure of the filter apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  The steam sterilizer according to the present invention is a steam sterilizer in which a chamber having a front opening that is opened and closed by a lid is provided in a sterilizer body, and sterilizes an object to be sterilized stored in the chamber under high-pressure steam. A filter device in which water flowing through a water injection flow channel for injecting water into the chamber passes through a filter is provided in the sterilizer main body, and the filter device includes a main body casing portion that forms a filter chamber having a front opening, and the filter chamber. A cap combined with the main body casing portion so as to close the front opening in order to accommodate and take out the filter, and the cap is disposed to protrude forward from the sterilizer main body, and the lid is closed. In this state, the lid is closed by the lid, and preferred embodiments thereof will be described below.

  A steam sterilizer MK according to the present invention is mainly installed in a hospital or the like for sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as a medical instrument under high-pressure steam. As typical examples, FIG. 1 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the steam sterilizer MK has a horizontal type that includes a cylindrical chamber 4 having a front opening 2 and closes the front opening 2 with a lid 7 so as to be freely opened and closed. Embodiments of a horizontal steam sterilizer MK according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a sterilizer main body of the steam sterilizer MK, in which a cylindrical horizontal chamber 4 having a front opening 2 provided with a shelf on which an object to be sterilized such as a medical instrument is placed is accommodated. The front opening 2 of the chamber 4 is covered with a lid 7 that is rotatably supported by a lid support portion 5 of a hinge mechanism provided on either the left or right side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the sterilizer body 1. Sealed. For this reason, on the back side of the lid 7, an annular packing 8 is provided that is in close contact with the peripheral edge of the front opening 2 of the chamber 4 in a compressed state with the lid 7 closed in a normal state. Reference numeral 9 denotes a handle of the lid 7.

  The operation panel 3 arranged on one side (right side in the figure) of the lid 7 on the front surface of the sterilizer main body 1 is set to set the operating conditions and operating mode of the high-pressure steam sterilizer MK as shown in FIG. A unit 31, a display unit 32 for displaying operating conditions and operating modes, a power switch SW, and the like are arranged. The setting unit 31 includes a time setting unit 31A, a reservation setting unit 31B, a sterilization temperature setting unit 31C, a sterilization time setting unit 31D, a drying time setting unit 31E, a start key (or a start button, which is a start switch operation unit. 39, a stop key 40, an up / down unit 31G for setting values of temperature, time, and time, a completion schedule key 41, and the like. The display unit 32 includes a display unit 32A such as temperature and time, a pressure gauge 32B, a process display unit 32C, a lock state display unit 32D of the lid 7, and the like.

  The lid detection switch 10 and the configuration for operating it will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid detection switch 10 is arranged on the upper side of the opening 2 opposite to the lid support 5 (on the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2), and on the front plate 1 </ b> A of the sterilizer body 1. It is attached to the back side. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the lid detection switch 10 includes an actuator 11 for opening and closing a contact provided in the case 10A of the lid detection switch 10 and a fulcrum portion on the case 10A for operating the actuator 11. 12A includes a spring-operated lever 12 supported by 12A. The spring operating lever 12 is made of a plate spring material.

  Further, the slide piece 13 is slidable in the front-rear direction in a cylindrical support body 14 in which the front plate 1A of the sterilizer body 1 is attached in a penetrating state so as to be urged forward by the spring operating lever 12. Is provided. At the rear part of the slide piece 13, a locking part 13 </ b> A that locks with the stopper part 14 </ b> A at the rear part of the support 14 is formed, and the slide piece 13 has a rear end part 13 </ b> P that contacts the spring-operated lever 12. When urged forward and the locking portion 13A comes into contact with the stopper portion 14A, the maximum length protruding forward from the front plate 1A of the sterilizer body 1 is limited.

  In the lid 7, the back plate 7 </ b> A of the lid 7 is set in a penetrating state so as to be biased in a protruding state toward the back side of the lid 7 by a coil-shaped first biasing spring 16 at a position corresponding to the slide piece 13. An operating portion 15 is provided in the attached cylindrical support 17 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the coil-shaped first biasing spring 16 is accommodated in the operating portion 15, the front end abuts on the front end wall of the operating portion 15, and the rear end is formed integrally with the support body 17 or formed separately. Is supported by the holding portion 18 and is accommodated in the operating portion 15 in a slightly compressed state. A locking portion 15A is formed at the rear portion of the operating portion 15 to be locked to the stopper portion 17A at the rear portion of the support body 17, and the operating portion 15 is attached to the back side of the lid 7 by the first biasing spring 16. When urged, when the locking portion 15A comes into contact with the stopper portion 17A, the maximum length protruding rearward from the back plate 7A of the lid 7 is limited. 4A and 4B show a state in which the lid 7 opens the opening 2, and the first biasing spring 16 and the spring operating lever 12 are in the initial state. That is, as described above, since the first biasing spring 16 is accommodated in the operating portion 15 in a slightly compressed state, the operating portion 15 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A of the lid 7 with the maximum length. The slide piece 13 is pushed forward by the spring operating lever 12, and the slide piece 13 protrudes forward from the front plate 1A with the maximum length.

  In the above configuration, by closing the lid 7, the operating unit 15 further presses the distal end of the slide piece 13 while the operating unit 15 further presses the spring operating lever 12 with the pressing pressure via the slide piece 13. Pushing backward, the slide piece 13 is further retracted, and the spring operating lever 12 reaches the state where the actuator 11 is pushed most. In this state, the action of retracting the operating portion 15 via the slide piece 13 acts, whereby the first biasing spring 16 is compressed by the pressing pressure. This state is shown in FIG. This state is a normal closed state in which the lid 7 closes the opening 2 in the normal closed state, and in this normal closed state, the annular packing 8 is in strong contact with the peripheral edge portion of the front opening 2 of the chamber 4 and is in a normal state. It is a normal closed state in which the chamber 4 is closed in a compressed state and the chamber 4 is closed by a lid 7. In this state, the lid detection switch 10 is turned on with its contact closed.

  A main body side locking member 19 is provided in a protruding state on the front side of the front plate 1A of the sterilizer main body 1 at an intermediate position on the opposite side (right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the lid support portion 5 with respect to the opening 2. Yes. The lid 7 is provided with a lock device 20 at a position corresponding to the main body side lock member 19. The lock device 20 includes a lid-side lock member 21 into which the main body-side lock member 19 enters through a through hole 7 </ b> B formed in the back plate 7 </ b> A of the lid 7, a lock rod 22, and a switch operating body 23. The lock device 20 is configured to be able to be operated to a locked state and an unlocked state by a handle 9 provided on the front surface of the lid 7.

  The lid-side lock member 21 is fixed to the lid 7, and a guide bar 26 </ b> A is attached to the lid-side lock member 21 in a vertical state in the vertical direction at a position outside the entry path of the main body-side lock member 19. . In order to stabilize the operation, the guide bar 26A has a configuration in which the guide bars 26A and 26A are arranged on the left and right sides of the approach path of the main body side locking member 19. The upper and lower sides 25A and 25B of the U-shaped support plate 25 are slidably inserted into the guide rod 26A, and the lock rod 22 is attached to the upper side 25A of the support plate 25 so as to hang downward. A switch operating body 23 is attached to the lower side 25 </ b> B of the support plate 25. The support plate 25 is fixed to the handle 9, whereby the lock rod 22 can be moved up and down together with the support plate 25 by being guided by the guide rod 26 </ b> A as the handle 9 moves up and down.

  The lock rod 22 and the support plate 25 of the lock device 20 are lifted by using the guide rod 26A as a guide as the handle 9 is lifted, and the lid 7 is closed in this state, thereby operating integrally with the lock rod 22. The body 23 enters the sterilizer body 1 through the longitudinal slot 1B of the front plate 1A of the sterilizer body 1. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 6, the main body side lock member 19 enters the lid side lock member 21. As the handle 9 is lowered in this state, the lock bar 22 and the support plate 25 are lowered using the guide bar 26A as a guide, and the lock bar 22 enters the holes of the main body side lock member 19 and the lid side lock member 21. To lock (lock position). This state is a state in which the lid 7 is closed in the normal closed state. The lid 7 is turned on by the lid 7, and the spring actuating lever 24 </ b> A is pushed by the operating body 23 and the lock detection switch 24. Is turned on (shown in FIG. 7).

  In addition, by raising the handle 9 from this locked position, the lock rod 22 escapes upward from the holes of the main body side lock member 19 and the lid side lock member 21 to be in the unlocked position.

  The interlock mechanism 30 includes a solenoid 32 provided on the back side of the front plate 1A of the sterilizer body 1, an actuator 33, and a coil spring 34 as shown in FIGS. The plate-like interlock release member 38 is for manually releasing the interlock state as will be described later. In the non-energized state of the solenoid 32, the actuator 33 is advanced above the operating body 23 by the coil spring 34, prevents the operating body 23 from rising (returning), and the lock device 20 maintains the lid 7 in the locked state. In this state (interlock state), the spring detection lever 35A of the interlock detection switch 35 is pressed in this state, so that the interlock detection switch 35 is turned ON. In addition, the actuator 33 is operated so as to compress the coil spring 34 by energizing the solenoid 32, retreats from the moving path of the operating body 23 (the moving path in which the operating body 23 moves up and down), and the operating body 23 is raised (returned). ) To release the lock maintenance state, and the interlock detection switch 35 is turned off.

Next, the chamber 4 and its piping system will be described with reference to FIG. 6A is a sterilization heater composed of a sheathed heater or the like disposed at the bottom of the chamber 4, and the heater chamber 6B is formed at the bottom of the chamber 4 by covering the upper portion with a heater cover 6 constituting a shelf. Yes. An article to be sterilized PP is placed on the heater cover 6, and a ventilation gap 6 </ b> C is provided between the front end of the heater cover 6 and the inner surface of the lid 7 that closes the front opening 2 so as to be openable and closable. A ventilation gap 6 </ b> D is provided between the rear end portion of the cover 6 and the rear wall 4 </ b> A of the chamber 4.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a water injection / drainage pipe, which constitutes a common water injection flow path through which both water injection and water discharge flows. The pouring / draining pipe 60 is open to communicate with a heater chamber 6 </ b> B formed at the bottom of the chamber 4 so as to open to the lower part in the chamber 4, and the starting end of the pouring / draining pipe 60 is the underwater of the water storage tank 61. The coil-shaped 1st heat exchanger 62 opened in this is provided. A second electromagnetic valve 63 that is a water injection / drainage valve is connected to the water storage tank 61 side, and a filter device 64 is connected to the chamber 4 side of the water injection / drainage pipe 60 between the chamber 4 and the first heat exchanger 62. Yes.

  The air supply flow path 65 for supplying outside air into the chamber 4 includes a first electromagnetic valve 66 disposed outside the chamber 4, and an air filter 67 and an air compression that is a drying pump on the upstream side of the air flow. The air compressor 68 is operated, and the first electromagnetic valve 66 is appropriately opened to supply outside air into the chamber 4 from the air supply channel 65.

Reference numeral 69 denotes an exhaust passage having one end communicating with the interior of the chamber 4 from the rear wall 4A and the other end opened in the upper space in the water storage tank 61. The third electromagnetic valve 70 and the water storage tank 61 are exhaust valves in the middle. A coil-shaped second heat exchanging part 71 that is submerged in the water is connected, and one end of the second heat exchanging part 71 opens into the upper space in the water storage tank 61.

  A temperature sensor 72 for detecting the temperature in the chamber 4 is disposed at the center of the rear wall 4A of the chamber 4, and a pressure gauge is disposed closer to the chamber 4 than the third electromagnetic valve 70 of the exhaust passage 69. 32B is connected, and a band-shaped drying heater 73 for heating the wall of the chamber 4 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 4.

74 is a control unit arranged at an appropriate position in the sterilizer main body 1, and is configured around a microcomputer (not shown). The detection temperature of the temperature sensor 72 for detecting the temperature in the chamber 4 and the water level for detecting the water level in the chamber 4. The sterilization heater 6A, the drying heater 73, the first electromagnetic valve 66, the second electromagnetic valve 63, the third electromagnetic valve 70, the air compressor 68 and the like are energized according to a sensor (not shown) and a preset program. In addition, the display unit 32 and the like disposed on the operation panel 3 shown in FIG. 3 are controlled.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the filter device 64 connected to the drainage pipe 60 includes a main body casing portion 64A in which a cylindrical filter chamber 64C having a front opening and a cylindrical filter 64F are attached. 64B, and a cap 64B is detachably coupled to the front opening by a screw coupling portion 64G so as to close the front opening so that the filter 64F is introduced into the filter chamber 64C through the front opening. As a result, the rear end of the filter 64F whose front end is attached to the cap 64B is accommodated and held in the filter chamber 64C in a state where the rear end of the filter 64F is fitted to the annular fitting portion 64H formed on the rear wall of the filter chamber 64C. An annular interval in which water flows is formed between the periphery of the filter chamber and the inner peripheral wall of the filter chamber 64C.

  In addition, a connecting portion 64D formed at the rear end of the main body casing portion 64A so as to communicate with the filter chamber 64C is screw-coupled with a nut 64N to a portion of the pouring / draining pipe 60 connected to the chamber 4, and the filter 64F Connected to the second electromagnetic valve 63 is connected to the connection portion 64E formed on the side surface of the main body casing portion 64A so as to communicate with the annular space formed between the periphery of the filter chamber 64C and the inner peripheral wall of the filter chamber 64C. A portion of the drain pipe 60 is screwed by a nut 64M.

  The filter device 64 is in a state of being disposed in the sterilizer body 1 and is configured to be disposed in the back side region of the front plate 1A of the sterilizer body 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 to 12. Therefore, in the embodiment, the main body casing portion 64A is attached to the back side of the front plate 1A so that the cap 64B is disposed on the front side of the front plate 1A. With the lid 7 closed, the front end cap 64B faces the space between the front plate 1A of the sterilizer body 1 and the back plate 7A of the lid 7. For this reason, when the lid 7 is closed, the cap 64B corresponds to the back plate 7A of the lid 7, the front end of the cap 64B is close to the back plate 7A of the lid 7, and is closed by the lid 7 ( It is also called a covered state.

  For this reason, when the lid 7 is closed, the cap 7 cannot be removed from the main body casing portion 64A because the lid 7 is in the way. If the cap 64B is not rotated until the cap 64B comes close to the state where the cap 64B comes off from the main body casing portion 64A, the filter chamber 64C will not communicate with the outside air. Even if the cap 64B is rotated from below the steam sterilizer MK, Since the front end of the cap 64B immediately collides with the back plate 7A of the lid 7, the filter chamber 64C does not communicate with the outside air, and high-pressure steam in the chamber 4 passes from the filter chamber 64C through the injection / drain pipe 60 during the sterilization operation. There is no leakage.

  In the configuration described above, an object to be sterilized is stored in the chamber 4, the lid 7 is closed, and the lid 7 seals the front opening 2 of the chamber 4. Sterilization of the object to be sterilized is performed under high pressure. A series of sterilization operations of the article to be sterilized will be described. In the operation of the sterilization operation, first, the power switch SW is turned on (ON) to enter the standby state. In this state, the solenoid 32 of the interlock mechanism 30 is energized and excited, and the actuator 33 moves in the direction of the arrow Y shown in FIG. 8 so as to move away from the moving path (vertical direction path) of the operating body 23 against the spring 34. Retreats to the non-interlock position.

  The lid 7 is opened, and the object to be sterilized PP is set on the heater cover 6 covering the heater 6A in the chamber 4 from the opening 2 and the lid 7 is closed. In order to maintain this state, as described above, the handle 9 of the lid 7 is operated and the lid 7 is brought into the locked state (lock position) by the lock device 20. In this state, the closing of the lid 7 as described above is detected by the ON operation of the lid closing detection switch 10. When the lid 7 is locked by the locking device 20, the lock detecting switch 24 is turned on by the operating body 23. Detected by entering a state.

  The high-pressure steam sterilizer MK becomes ready to start operation by an AND (multiplication operation) of the ON state of the lid detection switch 10 and the ON state of the lock detection switch 24 achieved by such an operation. In this state, desired setting is performed by the setting unit 31 while confirming the display unit 32 of the operation panel 3. By such an operation, the preparation in the standby state is completed. In the standby state in which this preparation is completed, the interlock mechanism 30 operates so as to maintain the locked state of the lid 7 by the locking device 20 by the operation of the control unit 74 based on the ON operation of the start key 39.

That is, in this state, since the operating body 23 is in the lowered position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as described above, the solenoid 32 of the interlock mechanism 30 is activated based on the ON operation of the start key 39. As shown in FIG. 8, the actuator 33 protrudes in the direction opposite to the arrow Y direction by the spring 34, and moves so as to be directly above the operating body 23 as shown in FIG. Project to For this reason, even if the handle 9 is operated upward, the operating body 23 cannot move upward, and the interlock state in which the lid 7 is locked is maintained. In this state, the tip of the actuator 33 pushes the spring-operating lever 35A of the interlock detection switch 35, so that the interlock detection switch 35 is turned on. The lock status display section 32D of the lid 7 by the state emits light, desired sterilizing mode (intended sterilization operation) is started.

By desired sterilizing mode (intended sterilization operation) is started, water injection process to the previous process in a chamber 4 is started. In this water injection process, the third electromagnetic valve 70 that is an exhaust valve is opened without being energized, and the second electromagnetic valve 63 that is an injection / drainage valve is energized to open the valve, so that the water level difference between the chamber 4 and the water storage tank 61 is increased. Thus, the water in the water storage tank 61 passes through the second electromagnetic valve 63 by its own weight, flows into the filter 64F from the connection portion 64D of the filter device 64, passes through the peripheral portion of the filter 64F, and flows out of the connection portion 64E. 4 is supplied. When the water level in the chamber 4 reaches a predetermined water level detected by the water level sensor, the second electromagnetic valve 63 is de-energized, the valve is closed, the water injection process ends, and the process proceeds to the heating process.

In the heating step, the water injected into the chamber 4 by energizing the sterilization heater 6A is heated to generate steam, and the third electromagnetic valve 70 is energized and de-energized to control the air in the chamber 4. The discharge is controlled to the outside from the exhaust passage 69 . When the temperature in the chamber 4 detected by the temperature sensor 72 reaches a predetermined temperature necessary for sterilization (121 ° C. in the embodiment), the heating process is terminated . Their to, so as to maintain the predetermined temperature, the third solenoid valve 70 is closed the valve at energization, intermittently controls the energization of the sterilization heater 6A, the inside of the chamber 4 at a predetermined temperature (Example 121 ℃)), and thereby , a sterilization process for sterilizing the material to be sterilized PP is performed . This sterilization step is performed for 10 minutes, for example.

In the sterilization process, sterilization is performed for a predetermined time using a preset sterilization timer, and when this is completed, the process proceeds to the exhaust process. In the exhaust process, the third electromagnetic valve 70 is initially closed by energization, and the second electromagnetic valve 63 is energized to open the valve. In this state, the chamber 4 is in a high pressure in the sterilization process. As a result, the water in the chamber 4 is drained into the water storage tank 61 while being cooled by the first heat exchanger 62 through the inlet / outlet pipe 60 through the filter device 64 and the second electromagnetic valve 63 by this pressure. The On the other hand, when the drying heater 73 is energized as appropriate and the drainage time has elapsed, the second electromagnetic valve 63 is de-energized and the valve is closed, and the third electromagnetic valve 70 is de-energized and the valve is opened to perform exhaust processing.

When the exhaust process for performing such drainage exhaust processing is completed, the air compressor 68 operates and the first solenoid valve 66 is energized while the third solenoid valve 70 is kept in a non-energized state and is opened. Then, the valve is opened, the outside air is supplied into the chamber 4 from the air supply channel 65, and the drying process in the chamber 4 is performed for a predetermined time while discharging the air in the chamber 4 from the exhaust channel 69. At this time, the sterilization heater 6A and the drying heater 73 are intermittently energized, and the outside air sent from the air compressor 68 flows into the chamber 4 from the air outlet of the air supply flow path 65, and the chamber by the sterilization heater 6A and the drying heater 26 A drying process for drying the object to be sterilized PP and the inner surface of the chamber 4 is performed by heating the air in the chamber 4. Air in the chamber 4 in the drying step, some is discharged into the upper space in the water storage tank 61 while being cooled in the second heat exchanger 71 in the water storage tank 61 from the exhaust passage 69. On the other hand, the other part of the air in the chamber 4 circulates in the chamber 4 while being heated through the periphery of the sterilization heater 6A together with the outside air supplied into the chamber 4 from the air supply flow path 65. To flow. This drying process is performed for 30 minutes, for example.

  When the drying process in the drying process is finished by the operation of the control unit 74, the energization to the sterilization heater 6A and the drying heater 73 is finished, and the intended sterilization mode (desired sterilization operation) is finished. When the intended sterilization mode (desired sterilization operation) is completed, the solenoid 32 of the interlock mechanism 30 is energized to be in an excited state, and the actuator 33 moves against the spring 34 in the moving path (vertical direction). Retreat in the direction of arrow Y shown in FIG. Thus, the lock rod 22 is lifted upward from the holes of the main body side lock member 19 and the lid side lock member 21 together with the handle 9 by the operation of pulling the handle 9 upward in the state where the interlock state by the interlock mechanism 30 is released. Escape to the unlocked position. In this state, the handle 9 can be pulled to open the lid 7, and the object to be sterilized can be taken out.

  Note that, after the intended sterilization mode (desired sterilization operation) is completed, the third solenoid valve 70 remains in a non-energized state for a predetermined time, and the first solenoid valve 66 The air compressor 68 is energized to maintain the exhaust state. Even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the third solenoid valve 70 remains in a non-energized state and is in a state in which the valve is opened.

  As described above, the lid 7 is kept closed by the locking device 20 and the interlock mechanism 30 during the execution of the intended sterilization mode (the desired sterilization operation). The lid 7 cannot be opened. Since the front end of the cap 64B of the filter device 64 is close to the back plate 7A of the lid 7 as described above and is in a state of being closed (or also referred to as being covered) by the lid 7, Alternatively, the cap 64B cannot be removed from the main body casing portion 64A due to an erroneous operation, and high-pressure steam in the chamber 4 does not leak out, which is safe.

  In order to remove the cap 64B, inspect the filter device 64, clean or replace the filter 64F, etc., as described above, the safety after the intended sterilization mode (the desired sterilization operation) is completed. This can be done by removing the cap 64B from the front side of the sterilizer body 1 with the lid 7 open in the state or in a safe state where the steam sterilizer MK is at rest.

As described above, while the sterilization mode is started and the intended sterilization mode (the desired sterilization operation) is in operation, the interlock state is established in the event of a power failure. The solenoid 32 is not energized. As shown in FIG. 8, when the solenoid 32 is de-energized, the actuator 33 prevents the operating body 23 from rising and the lid 7 is prevented from opening. Even if the handle 9 is pulled, the lid 7 can not be opened. For this reason, the high-pressure steam in the chamber 4 does not leak and is safe.

  In order to forcibly manually release the interlock state, a special tool 50 is inserted into the insertion port 51 formed at the bottom of the sterilizer main body 1 from the lower space of the lid 7 and manually forcibly. The interlock release member 38 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 8 against the coil spring 34, and the actuator 33 is moved to the left as indicated by the arrow Y shown in FIG. If it is moved and retracted, the interlock is released. By releasing the interlock, an operation of pulling up the handle 9 upwards causes the lock rod 22 together with the handle 9 to escape upward from the holes of the main body side lock member 19 and the lid side lock member 21 to enter the unlocked position. In this state, the handle 9 can be pulled to open the lid 7, and the object to be sterilized can be taken out.

  In the steam sterilizer according to the present invention, modifications within a range not departing from the technical scope of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention, and are not limited to the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments. Various forms are encompassed within the range of steam sterilizers that can be used.

1. Outer case of main body 2. Front opening
PP: Object to be sterilized 3 ... Operation panel 4 ... Chamber 6 ... Heater cover 6A ... Sterilization heater 6B ... Heater chamber 7 ... Lid 7A ... Lid Back plate 8 ··· Ring seal 10 ··· Closed detection switch 11 ··· Actuator for closed lid detection switch 12 · · · Spring operating lever 13 · · · Slide piece 13A · · Locking portion 14 · · ..Cylindrical support 15 ... Operating part 16 ... Coil-shaped first biasing spring 17 ... Support 18 ... Holding part 19 ... Main body side locking member 20 ... Lock Device 21: Lid side lock member 22 ... Lock rod 23 ... Actuator 24 ... Lock detection switch
24A ... Spring-operating lever 25 ... Support plate 26A ... Guide rod 30 ... Interlock mechanism 32 ... Solenoid 33 ... Actuator 35 ... Interlock detection switch 36 ... Shaft support 37... Biasing spring 38... Interlock release member 50... Tool 50 </ b> A .. Action part 51... Insertion port 52... Fixing member 53. Drain pipe 61 ... Water storage tank 63 ... Second electromagnetic valve 64 ... Filter device 64A ·· Main body casing part of filter device 64B · · Cap of filter device 64C · · Filter chamber of filter device 64F · · Filter the apparatus of filter 65 ... air supply passage 66 ... first electromagnetic valve 67 ... air filter 68 ... air compressor 69 ... exhaust passage 0 ... third electromagnetic valve 73 ... drying heater 74 ··· control unit MK ... high pressure steam sterilizer

Claims (4)

In a steam sterilizer in which a chamber having a front opening that is opened and closed by a lid is provided in the sterilizer body and sterilizes an object to be sterilized under high-pressure steam, a water injection channel for injecting water into the chamber A filter device through which the water flowing through the filter passes is provided in the sterilizer body, and the filter device is provided with a main body casing portion in which a filter chamber having a front opening is formed, and for storing and taking out the filter in the filter chamber. A cap combined with the main body casing portion so as to close the front opening, and the cap is disposed in a forward protruding state from the sterilizer main body, and is closed by the lid in a state where the lid is closed. This is a steam sterilizer. In a steam sterilizer in which a chamber having a front opening that is opened and closed by a lid is provided in the sterilizer body and sterilizes an object to be sterilized under high-pressure steam, a water injection channel for injecting water into the chamber A filter device through which the water flowing through the filter passes is provided in the sterilizer body, and the filter device is provided with a main body casing portion in which a filter chamber having a front opening is formed, and for storing and taking out the filter in the filter chamber. The cap is detachably assembled with the front opening of the filter chamber, and the cap is disposed in a forward projecting state from the sterilizer main body, and the front end of the cap is closed when the lid is closed. steam flashing, characterized in that for the rear surface is in a state close to the extent that they can not remove the cap unless open the lid Vessel. The filter has a cylindrical shape with a front end attached to the cap and a rear end fitted in a fitting portion formed on the rear wall of the filter chamber, and water between the filter and the surrounding wall of the filter chamber. Is formed at the rear end of the main body casing part, and the water supply flow path and the inside of the filter are connected to each other. 3. The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising: a connecting portion that communicates with the cap, wherein the cap extends from a front plate of the sterilizer body into a space between the lid and the front plate. The steam sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid is held in a closed state by an interlock device during a sterilization operation.

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