JP6605537B2 - Pressure vessel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure vessel, and more particularly, to a pressure vessel having a lock mechanism.

  Conventionally, a pressure vessel for sterilizing medical and dental instruments with high-pressure steam is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The pressure vessel described in Patent Document 1 employs a rotary handle type lid closing mechanism so that the lid does not open carelessly in a state where there is a pressure difference between the inside of the pressure vessel and the outside air, and the releasable lock is performed. A locking mechanism is provided.

JP 2006-167107 A (refer to claim 1 and FIG. 3)

  However, the rotating handle type lid closing mechanism described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the work required for the rotating operation of the handle is complicated and the burden on the user increases. On the other hand, when a simple lid opening / closing mechanism by lever operation or the like is adopted, there is a risk that an erroneous operation is induced and the user opens / closes the lid by mistake.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel capable of locking and unlocking the lid body by a simple operation and preventing an erroneous operation. .

This invention is a pressure vessel which has a container main body and the cover body arrange | positioned at the opening part of this container main body. A pressure vessel according to the present invention includes a lock holder disposed in the lid body and formed with a lock hole, a lock pin disposed in the container body and supported to be freely inserted into and removed from the lock hole, and the lock comprising a locking mechanism for the pin to impart a driving force to drive the insertion withdrawal direction relative to the lock hole, holds the lock state by the lock mechanism, the lock release restriction mechanism for restricting the unlocking operation, the said The lock mechanism includes a drive member that is movably fitted in the axial direction with respect to the lock pin, an insertion direction restricting portion that restricts movement of the drive member in the insertion direction, and the lock pin to the drive member. A lock pin urging unit that urges the driving member in the detaching direction and a driving member moving unit that moves the driving member in the insertion / detaching direction are provided.

  In the pressure vessel according to the present invention, an urging force for locking the lock pin to the lock holder is applied by the lock release restricting mechanism.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pressure vessel that enables locking and unlocking of a lid by a simple operation and prevents erroneous operation.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a general view, (b) is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the state which opened the cover body. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the principal part of the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing seen from the front which shows the structure of the lock mechanism in the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a lock release control mechanism, and shows the state which closed the cover body. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which excited the pull type | mold direct acting solenoid and moved the lock lever to the detachment | leave direction. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the user pushed the door strongly downward. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which opened the door. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the pressure vessel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the user closed the door.

  The pressure vessel 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 as appropriate, taking as an example a case where the pressure vessel 1 is applied to a high-temperature sterilization apparatus. The high-temperature sterilization apparatus is a dental medical device. The high-temperature sterilization apparatus performs sterilization of dental medical equipment (substance to be sterilized) by filling the pressure vessel 1 with high-temperature steam under high-pressure conditions. The high temperature steam is generated by heating water with a heater (not shown). Since the use of the pressure vessel 1 is not particularly limited, detailed description of the high temperature sterilization apparatus is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure vessel 1 is provided on a container main body 11, a door 12 provided on the upper portion of the container main body 11, a chamber 2 provided on the container main body 11, and the door 12. And a lid 3.
A pressure gauge 14 and an operation unit 15 are disposed on the upper portion of the door 12. The pressure gauge 14 measures the pressure in the chamber 2. The operation unit 15 is a part for the user to open and close the door 12.

  An operation panel 13 is disposed on the upper portion of the container body 11. As shown in FIG. 1B, the operation panel 13 includes a standby switch 13a, an operation / execution button 13b, a stop / release button 13c, and a liquid crystal display unit 13e. Mode selection, messages, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 13e.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure vessel 1 detects that the lid 3 is closed, the lock mechanism 4 that locks the lid 3 in the closed state, the lock release restriction mechanism 5 that regulates the unlocking operation, and the lid 3 being closed. The detection apparatus 6 and the control apparatus 9 (refer FIG. 2) which control operation | movement are provided.

  In the pressure vessel 1, as shown in FIG. 1A, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed to be front and rear, up and down, and left and right as viewed from a user (not shown). It is not intended to be limited.

  FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the pressure vessel 1. 2, the operation panel 13 (see FIG. 1) of the container body 11, the pressure gauge 14 (see FIG. 1) of the door 12, the exterior panel 16 (see FIG. 1) disposed around, the upper panel 17 and the like are incidental. Parts are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chamber 2 is a container for storing an object to be sterilized (not shown), and constitutes a pressure chamber having durability under high pressure and high temperature.
The container body 11 includes a housing 21 having a frame structure. The housing 21 is a structural member having a predetermined rigidity for supporting the chamber 2, the lock mechanism 4, the lock release restriction mechanism 5, the detection device 6, and the like. The housing 21 includes a lower frame 21a that supports the chamber 2, a front frame 21b, and a rear frame 21c. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 21 includes a lock release restricting mechanism support frame 21d that supports a lock holder biasing assisting means 52 described later, and a moving means support frame 21e that supports a drive member moving means 44 described later. It is equipped with.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 3 is disposed in the opening 22 of the chamber 2 so as to be freely opened and closed (see reference K).
The lid 3 includes a shaft support portion 31 that is rotatably supported on the upper portion of the chamber 2, and a lock holder 32 that is disposed at the distal end portion. The lock holder 32 is formed with a long hole shaped lock hole 32a.
As shown in FIG. 3, the container body 11 is provided with a lock pin 8 that is supported so as to be inserted into and removed from the lock hole 32 a. The lock pin 8 is supported by the lock mechanism 4 so as to be movable in the insertion / removal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3).

The lock mechanism 4 is a device for applying a driving force that drives the lock pin 8 in the insertion / removal direction with respect to the lock hole 32a.
The pressure vessel 1 can be locked with the lid 3 closed when the lock pin 8 is driven in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 3) by the lock mechanism 4 (FIG. 3 shows the lock state). When driven in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 3), the lock can be released (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

The lock mechanism 4 includes a lock lever 41 that is a drive member, a stopper 42 that is an insertion direction restricting portion, a lock pin urging means 43, and a drive member moving means 44.
The lock lever 41 includes a body portion 41a having an L-shaped cross section , a fitting hole 41b through which the lock pin 8 is inserted, a shaft support portion 41c that rotatably supports the body portion 41a, and an engagement portion 41d. It is equipped with.

  The lower portion of the main body portion 41a is supported by a shaft support portion 41c, and a fitting hole 41b is provided in the upper portion. The lock pin 8 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 disposed in the front-rear direction, and supports the main body portion 41a so as to be swingable and rotatable in the left-right direction (see reference symbol U). The engaging part 41d is a convex part having a burring shape.

  The lock lever 41 is a link member that can rotate around the shaft support portion 41c, and the lock pin 8 is fitted in a fitting hole 41b formed in the distal end portion. With this configuration, the lock lever 41 is fitted to the lock pin 8 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

  The stopper 42 is a plate-like member fixed to the housing 21 and is a member that restricts movement of the lock lever 41 in the insertion direction. The stopper 42 is in contact with the main body 41a and is disposed at the moving end when the main body 41a moves in the insertion direction.

  The lock pin urging means 43 is a mechanism that urges the lock pin 8 against the lock lever 41 in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 3). The lock pin urging means 43 includes a spring 43 a that urges the lock pin 8 in the disengagement direction, a washer 43 b and a nut 43 c that compress the spring 43 a and attaches to the lock pin 8, and a lock lever 41 that engages the lock pin 8. And an enlarged diameter portion 43d to be stopped.

  The spring 43 a is attached to the lock pin 8 with one end abutting against the lock lever 41 and the other end abutting against the washer 43 b. Since the nut 43c is screwed into the lock pin 8, the urging force F1 of the spring 43a can be adjusted. The enlarged diameter portion 43d is a step portion formed on the lock pin 8, and restricts the movement of the lock lever 41 with respect to the lock pin 8 in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 3).

  The drive member moving means 44 is a mechanism for moving the lock lever 41 in the insertion / removal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3). The drive member moving means 44 is a pull type direct acting solenoid 44a that is a direct acting solenoid that moves the lock lever 41 in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 3), and the lock lever 41 in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 3). And an urging spring member 44b.

With this configuration, when the control device 9 (see FIG. 2) moves the lock lever 41 in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 3) by the driving member moving means 44, the control device 9 (see FIG. 2) supplies power to the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a. The lock lever 41 is driven by supplying and exciting.
Specifically, when the lock lever 41 is moved in the disengagement direction by the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a, the spring 43a is compressed to generate an urging force F1 (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the driving force of the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a is converted into the urging force F1 (see FIG. 4) 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. 3), it is driven by the urging force of the spring member 44b by turning off the power supplied to the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a.

  An emergency unlocking hook 45, which is an unlocking operation member for manually moving the locking lever 41 in the disengaging direction (leftward in FIG. 3), is attached to the lower end of the locking lever 41. When the lock cannot be released due to circumstances such as a power failure, the user can release the lock by pulling the emergency lock release hook 45 in the right direction in the figure.

The lock release restricting mechanism 5 is a mechanism that biases the lock holder 32 to the lock pin 8 in a state where the lid 3 is closed. In other words, the urging force for locking the lock pin 8 to the lock holder 32 is applied to the lock holder 32 by the lock release restricting mechanism 5.
The lock release restricting mechanism 5 applies an internal pressure urging mechanism 51 for applying a first urging force F1 for urging the lock holder 32 to the lock pin 8 by the action of internal pressure in the chamber 2, and a second urging force F2. And a lock holder biasing assisting means 52.
The internal pressure biasing mechanism 51 is a mechanism that operates when the internal pressure in the chamber 2 of the pressure vessel 1 is higher than a predetermined openable pressure. The internal pressure biasing mechanism 51 is a mechanism that biases the inner peripheral portion of the lock hole 32 a formed in the lock holder 32 to the lock pin 8 by the internal pressure in the chamber 2 acting in the direction of opening the lid 3. .

  With this configuration, when the internal pressure urging mechanism 51 is provided, the lock pin 8 is locked to the lock holder when the internal pressure in the chamber 2 of the pressure vessel 1 is higher than a predetermined openable pressure. Thus, the urging force can be surely applied.

The lock holder biasing assisting means 52 is an additional mechanism that more reliably applies a biasing force in addition to the internal pressure biasing mechanism 51, and directly applies a biasing force to the lock holder 32. The lock holder biasing assisting means 52 biases the lock holder 32 in the direction in which the lid 3 is opened.
The lock holder biasing assisting means 52 includes a support bracket 52a, a locking pin 52b supported by the support bracket 52a, and a spring member 52c that biases the locking pin 52b in a direction in which the locking pin 52b is pressed against the lock holder 32. ing.

  The support bracket 52a is disposed on the lock release restricting mechanism support frame 21d. The locking pin 52b is supported by the support bracket 52a so as to be movable in the vertical direction (moving direction of the lock holder 32).

  With this configuration, 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. Thereby, the lock holder biasing assisting means 52 generates a biasing 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.

  The detection device 6 includes a limit switch 61 disposed below the locking pin 52b. With this configuration, when the user closes the lid 3, the locking pin 52 b moves downward, so that the limit switch 61 can detect that the locking pin 52 b has moved downward.

  In the present embodiment, the limit switch 61 is employed as the detection device 6, 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.

The operation of the pressure vessel 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 shows a state in which the lid 3 is closed and locked. FIG. 4 shows a state where the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a is excited to move the lock lever 41 in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 4). FIG. 5 shows a state in which a user (not shown) has pushed the door 12 down strongly. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the user (not shown) presses the operating portion 15 (see FIG. 1A) of the door 12 and then releases the hand to open the door 12. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the user closes the door 12.

<Operation to open the door>
When the door 12 is opened from the closed state, the process proceeds from FIG. 3 to FIG. The user first presses the standby switch 13a (see FIG. 1A). As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure vessel 1 detects that the door 12 is closed by the detection device 6. The control device 9 notifies the user that the door 12 can be opened by blinking the stop / release button 13c.
The user confirms that the stop / cancel button 13c is blinking, and then presses the stop / cancel button 13c to start an operation of opening the door 12.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure vessel 1 excites the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a to move the lock lever 41 in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 4). When the lock lever 41 is moved in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 4), the spring 43a is compressed, so that an urging force F1 is generated to move the lock pin 8 in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 4). To do.

  At this time, the lock holder biasing auxiliary means 52 applies a biasing force F2 (see FIG. 4) that presses the locking pin 52b against the lock holder 32 by the spring member 52c. The biasing force F2 generates a frictional force M at the contact portion between the lock pin 8 and the lock hole 32a. The frictional force M is set so that the lock holder 32 is locked to the lock pin 8 against the urging force F <b> 1 by the lock mechanism 4.

  In this way, the pressure vessel 1 can be unlocked by the lock holder biasing assisting means 52 even when the lock mechanism 4 applies a driving force for driving the lock pin 8 in the disengagement direction with respect to the lock hole 32a. To regulate.

That is, even when the user presses the stop / release button 13c, the lock release operation is restricted by the lock holder biasing assisting means 52. For this reason, in order to complete the unlocking operation, as shown in FIG. 5, it is necessary for the user to push the door 12 more strongly in the direction to close the door 12 and then release the hand. When the user presses the door 12 and releases it, the lock is released.
The user strongly presses the door 12 (see reference symbol P) to cancel the urging force F2 by the spring member 52c. As a result, by releasing the urging force F2 (see FIG. 4) by the lock holder urging assisting means 52, the unlocking operation is executed by the lock mechanism for the first time as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user strongly pushes the door 12 downward (see reference P) against the urging force F2 (see FIG. 4) by the spring member 52c, the lock pin 8 is pressed. And a gap δ is formed in the contact portion between the lock hole 32a. As a result, the frictional force M (see FIG. 4) generated in the contact portion between the lock pin 8 and the lock hole 32a disappears, and only the urging force R1 (return force) by the spring 43a remains. The lock pin 8 is moved in the disengagement direction (left direction in FIG. 5) by the urging force R1 by the spring 43a (see reference numeral R2 in FIG. 6). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, since the engagement between the lock pin 8 and the lock holder 32 is released, the lock holder 32 can be moved upward (see reference sign Q).

  Thereby, the user can perform the unlocking operation by a simple operation with one touch.

  Further, the lock release restricting mechanism 5 includes the internal pressure urging mechanism 51, so that when the internal pressure (residual pressure) in the chamber 2 is higher than a predetermined openable pressure, the lock mechanism 8 causes the lock pin 8 to be Even when a driving force for driving the lock hole 32a in the releasing direction is applied, the unlocking operation is restricted by the internal pressure biasing mechanism 51.

  Furthermore, the lock holder biasing assisting means 52 biases the lock holder 32 in the direction in which the lid 3 opens. As a result, when the lock release operation is to be executed in a state where the pressure in the chamber 2 is not sufficiently lowered, the lock holder 8 is urged against the lock pin 8 in addition to the residual pressure in the chamber 2. The biasing force F2 acts in the same direction as the residual pressure in the chamber 2 by the spring member 52c of the auxiliary means 52. For this reason, the magnitude | size of a load required when a user applies a load in the direction which closes the cover body 3 increases. Thereby, when it is not preferable to release the lock, it is difficult to open the lid 3 when the pressure in the chamber 2 is not sufficiently lowered by making the unlock operation difficult. be able to.

  At this time, when the user presses the door 12 and releases his / her hand, the urging force F2 by the spring member 52c is further increased. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the door 12 can be opened upward by the increased urging force F20 (return force).

<Operation to close the door>
When the door 12 is closed from the opened state, the process proceeds from FIG. 7 to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the user closes the door 12 until the door 12 is pushed in (see reference numeral S), the limit switch 61 detects the position of the lock holder 32, so that the control device 9 closes the door 12. It is determined that it is in a state. Thereby, the control device 9 shifts to the lock operation.

  In the locking operation, the control device 9 cuts off the power supplied to the pull type direct acting solenoid 44a and turns it off. Accordingly, the lock lever 41 is moved in the insertion direction (right direction in FIG. 7) by the urging force of the spring member 44b. As shown in FIG. 3, when the lid 3 is closed, the lock holder biasing assisting means 52 generates a biasing force F2 (see FIG. 4) that presses the locking pin 52b against the lock holder 32 and waits. Yes.

<Sterilization treatment>
When the user performs sterilization using the pressure vessel 1, the user puts an object to be sterilized in the chamber 2, then closes the door 12, and presses the operation / execution button 13b (see FIG. 1A). The pressure vessel 1 starts sterilization processing by automatic operation. When the sterilization process is completed, the control device 9 notifies the user by blinking the stop / release button 13c that the door 12 can be opened after the inside of the chamber 2 is decompressed and cooled. Thereby, the user can start the operation of opening the door 12.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, It can change and implement suitably. For example, in this embodiment, the drive member moving means 44 forms a link mechanism by the lock lever 41 and includes the pull-type linear motion solenoid 44a and the spring member 44b to drive the lock lever 41. It is not limited, and it may be driven using a drive source such as a motor or a drive source such as an air cylinder via a power transmission means such as a gear or a belt instead of a link mechanism. Good.

  In the present embodiment, in consideration of operability, the lock holder biasing assisting means 52 is configured to bias the lock holder 32 in the direction in which the lid 3 is opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, it is only necessary to generate the frictional force M so that the lock holder 32 can be engaged with the lock pin 8, so that it may be urged downward and in the left-right direction.

  In the present embodiment, the lock holder biasing assisting means 52 is provided in order to more reliably apply the biasing force in addition to the internal pressure biasing mechanism 51. However, this is an additional mechanism and may not be necessarily provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pressure vessel 2 Chamber 3 Lid 4 Lock mechanism 5 Unlocking restriction mechanism 6 Detection device 8 Lock pin 9 Control device 11 Container body 12 Door 13 Operation panel 13a Standby switch 13b Operation / execution button 13c Stop / release button 21 Housing 31 Shaft Support section 32 Lock holder 32a Lock hole 41 Lock lever (drive member)
42 Stopper (insertion direction restricting part)
43 Lock pin urging means 44 Drive member moving means 44a Pull type direct acting solenoid (direct acting solenoid)
44b Spring member 45 Emergency lock release hook 51 Internal pressure urging mechanism (lock release restricting mechanism)
52 Lock holder biasing assist means (lock release restricting mechanism)
52a Support bracket 52b Locking pin 52c Spring member 61 Limit switch

Claims (10)

A pressure vessel having a container body, a lid disposed in an opening of the container body, and a lock mechanism for locking the lid;
A lock holder disposed on the lid and having a lock hole;
A lock pin disposed in the container body and supported so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the lock hole;
A lock mechanism for applying a driving force for driving the lock pin in the insertion / removal direction with respect to the lock hole;
A lock release restriction mechanism that holds the lock state by the lock mechanism and restricts the unlocking operation, and
The locking mechanism is
A drive member fitted to the lock pin so as to be movable in the axial direction;
An insertion direction restricting portion for restricting movement of the drive member in the insertion direction;
Lock pin urging means for urging the lock pin with respect to the drive member in a disengagement direction;
Drive member moving means for moving the drive member in the insertion and removal direction;
With
By the unlocking restriction mechanism,
An urging force for locking the lock pin to the lock holder is applied,
A pressure vessel characterized by. A pressure vessel having a container body, a lid disposed in an opening of the container body, and a lock mechanism for locking the lid;
A lock holder disposed on the lid and having a lock hole;
A lock pin disposed in the container body and supported so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the lock hole;
A lock mechanism for applying a driving force for driving the lock pin in the insertion / removal direction with respect to the lock hole;
A lock release restriction mechanism that holds the lock state by the lock mechanism and restricts the unlocking operation, and
By the unlocking restriction mechanism,
An urging force for locking the lock pin to the lock holder is applied ,
The unlocking restricting mechanism includes an internal pressure biasing mechanism that applies the biasing force by the action of an internal pressure in a chamber disposed in the pressure vessel;
A lock holder biasing assisting means for biasing the lock holder to the lock pin in a state where the lid is closed ;
A pressure vessel characterized by. The unlocking restriction mechanism includes an internal pressure biasing mechanism that applies the biasing force by the action of an internal pressure in a chamber disposed in the pressure vessel ;
The pressure vessel according to claim 1. The unlocking restriction mechanism further includes a lock holder biasing assisting means for biasing the lock holder to the lock pin in a state in which the lid is closed;
The pressure vessel according to claim 3 . The lock holder biasing assisting means biasing the lock holder in a direction in which the lid opens;
The pressure vessel according to claim 4 . The user pushes the lid in the closing direction to release the urging force by the unlocking restriction mechanism and perform the unlocking operation;
The pressure vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein: The locking mechanism is
A drive member fitted to the lock pin so as to be movable in the axial direction;
The insertion direction regulating portion for regulating the movement in the interpolation extension direction of said driving member,
Lock pin urging means for urging the lock pin with respect to the drive member in a disengagement direction;
Drive member moving means for moving the drive member in the insertion and removal direction;
It is equipped with a,
The pressure vessel according to claim 2 . The drive member moving means includes a direct acting solenoid that moves the drive member in a detaching direction;
A spring member for urging the drive member in the insertion direction;
It is equipped with a,
The pressure vessel according to claim 1 or 7 , characterized in that Further comprising a detection device for detecting the closure of the lid,
The pressure vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein: A lock release operation member for moving the drive member in the disengagement direction;
The pressure vessel according to claim 1 or 7 , characterized in that

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