JP7203410B2 - steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a steam sterilizer that kills microorganisms such as bacteria with high temperature and high pressure steam.

A steam sterilizer sterilizes an object to be sterilized by keeping a chamber in which objects to be sterilized such as medical equipment are stored in a sealed state and filling the chamber with high-pressure steam. A conventional steam sterilizer is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3014425 (Patent Document 1).

Registered Utility Model No. 3014425

The above document discloses a configuration in which an overflow pipe is connected to the set water level of the chamber, and when the set water level is exceeded, part of the water in the chamber flows through the overflow pipe into the water tank. The overflow pipe is provided with an overflow sensor that detects the flow of water within the overflow pipe.

A heater is placed in the sterilization tank. When the water supply to the chamber is started while the temperature of the heater is high, the state of the water in contact with the heater changes and steam is generated in the chamber. This water vapor is exhausted from the chamber via an overflow tube. Vapor flow in the overflow pipe can cause the overflow sensor to go into a sensing state. Even though the amount of water required for sterilization has not yet been supplied to the chamber, the overflow sensor is in the detection state and water supply to the chamber is stopped, thereby reducing the amount of water supplied to the chamber. is likely to be insufficient.

The present disclosure provides a steam sterilizer that can reliably supply the required amount of liquid into the chamber for sterilization.

According to the present disclosure, a steam sterilizer comprising a chamber capable of storing an object to be sterilized and a heater for heating a liquid supplied to the chamber, and sterilizing the object to be sterilized with vapor of the liquid generated by heating the heater is provided. The steam sterilizer includes a liquid supply section that transfers liquid to the chamber, an overflow pipe that discharges excess liquid from the chamber when liquid is supplied to the chamber, an overflow sensor that detects the flow of liquid flowing through the overflow pipe, and a steam sterilizer. and a control unit for controlling the operation of the device. When liquid is supplied to the chamber, the control unit continues the transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply unit until a predetermined time elapses after the transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply unit is started, regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor. When the overflow sensor detects the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe after the lapse of the predetermined time, the control section stops the transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply section.

The steam sterilizer described above further comprises an air supply for supplying air to the chamber. When liquid is supplied to the chamber, the control section causes the air supply section to start supplying air to the chamber before starting the liquid transfer operation of the liquid supply section.

In the above steam sterilizer, when the overflow sensor detects the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe while the air supply unit is supplying air to the chamber before the liquid supply unit starts transferring the liquid , the supply of air to the chamber by the air supply unit continues and the transfer of liquid by the liquid supply unit continues to stop. start the transfer of

In the steam sterilizer described above, the controller waits for the detection result of the overflow sensor until a predetermined time has elapsed after the supply of air from the air supply unit to the chamber before the supply of liquid by the liquid supply unit is started. Regardless, the liquid supply unit continues to stop the transfer of the liquid.

A steam sterilizer according to the present disclosure can reliably supply the required amount of liquid into the chamber for the sterilization process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a system diagram which shows schematic structure of the steam sterilizer of embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the steam sterilizer. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of operation|movement of a steam sterilizer. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer. 4 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T0 to T1; FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T1 to T3; FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T3 to T5; FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T5 to T6; FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T6 to T7; FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at the start of the heating process; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a schematic configuration of a steam sterilizer 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the steam sterilizer 1 of the embodiment includes a chamber 10 capable of accommodating objects 100 to be sterilized, typically medical instruments such as gauze and scalpels. The chamber 10 includes an opening/closing lid 11 that can be opened and closed. The opening/closing lid 11 is attached to the side of the chamber 10 . By opening the opening/closing lid 11 , the object to be sterilized 100 can be carried in and out of the chamber 10 . By closing the opening/closing lid 11, the inside of the chamber 10 is kept in a sealed state.

A sterilization heater 12 is installed at the inner bottom of the chamber 10 . A sterilization heater 12 is arranged to extend along the bottom surface of the chamber 10 . A sterilization heater 12 heats the water supplied in the chamber 10 to generate steam. The steam sterilizer 1 sterilizes an object 100 to be sterilized with steam generated by heating with a sterilization heater 12 .

Water is one example of a liquid that may be supplied into chamber 10 for sterilization. The water may be clean water (tap water), well water, distilled water or purified water. The liquid supplied into the chamber 10 is not limited to water, and may be an aqueous solution such as physiological saline.

A mounting table 13 on which an object to be sterilized 100 can be mounted is provided above the sterilization heater 12 substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the chamber 10 .

A drying heater 14 is attached to the ceiling surface of the chamber 10 . After the object to be sterilized 100 is sterilized in the chamber 10, a drying process for drying the inside of the chamber 10 is performed. By activating the drying heater 14 to heat the air in the chamber 10 during the drying process, the humidity in the chamber 10 can be lowered and the drying process can be performed efficiently.

A temperature sensor 16 for detecting the temperature inside the chamber 10 is attached to the inner surface of the chamber 10 facing the opening/closing lid 11 . A temperature sensor 16 measures the temperature of the gas within the chamber 10 .

The steam sterilizer 1 has a water tank 20 . The water tank 20 stores water supplied into the chamber 10 . Water discharged from chamber 10 returns to reservoir 20 . The water tank 20 stores water discharged from the chamber 10 .

The chamber 10 and the water tank 20 are communicated by a liquid supply path 30 , an exhaust path 40 , an overflow path 50 and an exhaust path 70 . The liquid supply path 30 is a path for supplying water from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 . The steam exhaust path 40 is a path for exhausting water and steam from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 . The overflow path 50 is a path for discharging the amount of water exceeding the set water level in the chamber 10 from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 . The exhaust path 70 is a path for exhausting gases such as water vapor and air from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 .

The liquid supply path 30 includes a liquid supply pipe 31 , a liquid supply pump 32 , and a liquid supply electromagnetic valve 33 . One end of the liquid supply pipe 31 is connected to the water intake port at the bottom of the water tank 20 , and the other end is connected to the connection portion 17 at the bottom of the chamber 10 . The liquid supply pump 32 is provided on the upstream side of the path of the liquid supply pipe 31 (on the side close to the water tank 20). The liquid supply electromagnetic valve 33 is provided on the downstream side of the path of the liquid supply pipe 31 (on the side closer to the chamber 10).

The liquid supply pump 32 transfers water from the water tank 20 in the direction of flow toward the chamber 10 to supply water into the chamber 10 . The liquid supply pump 32 corresponds to the liquid supply section in the embodiment. The liquid supply solenoid valve 33 is arranged on the downstream side of the liquid supply path 30 with respect to the liquid supply pump 32 and opens and closes the liquid supply path 30 . The liquid supply solenoid valve 33 is provided so as to be switchable between an open state in which water can flow from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 and a closed state in which water flow from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 is prohibited.

The exhaust path 40 includes an exhaust pipe 41 and an exhaust electromagnetic valve 43 . Vapor pipe 41 is a path for water and steam discharged from chamber 10 to flow. One end of the exhaust pipe 41 is connected to the connecting portion 17 at the bottom of the chamber 10 . The other end of the steam exhaust pipe 41 is connected to the water tank 20 .

An exhaust electromagnetic valve 43 is provided in the exhaust pipe 41 . The exhaust electromagnetic valve 43 opens and closes the exhaust path 40 . The exhaust electromagnetic valve 43 is provided to be switchable between an open state in which fluid can flow from the chamber 10 toward the water tank 20 and a closed state in which fluid flow from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 is prohibited. .

Overflow path 50 includes an overflow pipe 51 , an overflow solenoid valve 53 and an overflow sensor 54 . The overflow pipe 51 is a tubular member. Overflow pipe 51 is connected to chamber 10 . One end of the overflow pipe 51 is arranged inside the chamber 10 . One end of the overflow pipe 51 opens at the bottom of the chamber 10 . The overflow pipe 51 has a rising portion 52 rising upward from the bottom surface of the chamber 10 . The upper end of the rising portion 52 constitutes one end of the overflow pipe 51 .

The other end of overflow pipe 51 is connected to water tank 20 . Overflow pipe 51 communicates chamber 10 and water tank 20 . Water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 flows out into the water tank 20 .

The overflow solenoid valve 53 and the overflow sensor 54 are arranged outside the chamber 10 . The overflow solenoid valve 53 is provided on the upstream side (closer to the chamber 10) on the path of the overflow pipe 51. As shown in FIG. The overflow sensor 54 is provided downstream (closer to the water tank) on the path of the overflow pipe 51 .

The overflow solenoid valve 53 is arranged upstream of the overflow pipe 51 with respect to the overflow sensor 54 and opens and closes the overflow path 50 . The overflow solenoid valve 53 is provided to be switchable between an open state in which water can flow from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 and a closed state in which water flow from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 is prohibited.

Overflow sensor 54 detects the flow of water flowing through overflow pipe 51 . Overflow sensor 54 detects the flow of water from chamber 10 into overflow pipe 51 and through overflow pipe 51 toward water tank 20 . The overflow sensor 54 may, for example, be designed with a float unit that is moved by the flow of water past the overflow sensor 54 . Alternatively, overflow sensor 54 may be an electrode-based level sensor, a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, or the like.

The exhaust path 70 includes an exhaust pipe 71 and an exhaust solenoid valve 74 . One end of the exhaust pipe 71 is connected to the chamber 10 . The other end of the exhaust pipe 71 is connected to the overflow pipe 51 . An exhaust solenoid valve 74 is provided in the exhaust pipe 71 . The exhaust electromagnetic valve 74 opens and closes the exhaust path 70 . The exhaust solenoid valve 74 is provided to be switchable between an open state in which fluid can flow from the chamber 10 toward the water tank 20 and a closed state in which fluid flow from the chamber 10 to the water tank 20 is prohibited.

The exhaust path 70 further includes a branch pipe 75 and a safety valve 76 . The branch pipe 75 has one end connected to the exhaust pipe 71 and the other end connected to the safety valve 76 . A safety valve 76 is provided in the water tank 20 . When the pressure inside the chamber 10 rises excessively, the safety valve 76 opens and the gas inside the chamber 10 is discharged into the water tank 20 through the exhaust pipe 71 , the branch pipe 75 and the safety valve 76 in order. This reduces the pressure inside the chamber 10 and maintains the pressure inside the chamber 10 within an appropriate range.

The steam sterilizer 1 also comprises an air supply line 60 that feeds air into the chamber 10 . The air supply path 60 includes an air supply pipe 61 having one end connected to the chamber 10, an air filter 62 attached to the other end of the air supply pipe 61, an air pump 63 and an air supply solenoid valve provided in the middle of the air supply pipe 61. 64 and . The air filter 62 functions as an air inlet to the air supply pipe 61 . The air taken in via the air filter 62 circulates inside the air supply pipe 61 . The air pump 63 generates an air flow from the air filter 62 toward the chamber 10 to supply the air inside the chamber 10 . The air pump 63 corresponds to the air supply section in the embodiment.

The air supply solenoid valve 64 is provided in the middle of the air supply pipe 61 on the downstream side (closer to the chamber 10 ) of the air pump 63 . The air supply electromagnetic valve 64 opens and closes the air supply path 60 . The air supply solenoid valve 64 is provided so as to be switchable between an open state in which air can flow into the chamber 10 via the air supply path 60 and a closed state in which air flow from the air pump 63 to the chamber 10 is prohibited. ing.

Steam sterilizer 1 further comprises pressure gauge 68 and pressure tube 69 . The pressure tube 69 has one end connected to the air supply tube 61 and the other end connected to the pressure gauge 68 . Air in chamber 10 reaches pressure gauge 68 via air supply pipe 61 and pressure pipe 69 . A pressure gauge 68 measures the pressure of the gas within the chamber 10 .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the steam sterilizer 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 , the steam sterilizer 1 has a control section 80 that controls the operation of the steam sterilizer 1 . Control unit 80 is electrically connected to temperature sensor 16 and overflow sensor 54 . The controller 80 receives an input of a detected value regarding the temperature inside the chamber 10 from the temperature sensor 16 . The control unit 80 receives from the overflow sensor 54 an input of a detection value relating to the presence or absence of water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 .

The control section 80 also has an input section 81 . An operator who operates the steam sterilizer 1 inputs set values such as sterilization temperature, sterilization time, and drying time from the input unit 81 to the control unit 80 . The control unit 80 further has a timer 82 that measures a predetermined time. The timer 82 is used to control the sterilization time and drying time of the object 100 to be sterilized, and is also used to control the timing of water supply into the chamber 10 .

The control unit 80 controls the sterilization heater 12, the drying heater 14, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 74, the liquid supply electromagnetic valve 33, the electromagnetic supply electromagnetic valve 64, the overflow electromagnetic valve 53, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 53, and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 64, corresponding to each control step of the steam sterilizer 1. A control signal is output to each device included in the steam sterilizer 1 such as the solenoid valve 43 , the liquid supply pump 32 and the air pump 63 . By receiving the control signal from the control unit 80 and appropriately operating each device, the sterilization process of the object 100 to be sterilized by the steam sterilizer 1 is reliably performed.

The operation of the steam sterilizer 1 having the above configuration will be described below. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an outline of the operation of the steam sterilizer 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1. As shown in FIG. 3 and timing chart shown in FIG. explain.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power of the steam sterilizer 1 is turned on at time T0, and the steam sterilizer 1 is activated. An operator using the steam sterilizer 1 opens the opening/closing lid 11 of the chamber 10, places the object 100 to be sterilized on the mounting table 13, and places the object 100 into the chamber 10 before starting water supply. store. The operator may put the object to be sterilized 100 into the chamber 10 before turning on the power of the steam sterilizer 1 .

FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 from time T0 to T1. By switching the power of the steam sterilizer 1 from off to on, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 74 is turned on and opened as shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the liquid supply solenoid valve 33, the exhaust solenoid valve 43, the overflow solenoid valve 53, the supply solenoid valve 64, and the exhaust solenoid valve 74 are all kept closed in an off (de-energized) state, and turned on ( This is a normally closed solenoid valve that opens when energized.

The internal space of the water tank 20 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. By opening the exhaust solenoid valve 74 , the internal space of the chamber 10 and the internal space of the water tank 20 communicate with each other via the exhaust pipe 71 and the overflow pipe 51 . Thereby, the internal space of the chamber 10 is adjusted to the same atmospheric pressure as the water tank 20 . By keeping the air pressure in the chamber 10 and the outside air pressure constant, the open/close lid 11 of the chamber 10 can be easily opened and closed.

At time T1, the water supply process is started. FIG. 6 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at times T1 to T3. The arrows shown in each path in FIG. 6 and the figures to be described later indicate the flow of fluid (water, steam or air) flowing through each path.

In the water supply process, first, in step S1 shown in FIG. 3, air supply to the chamber 10 is started. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 74 is switched from ON to OFF to be closed. The air supply solenoid valve 64 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are switched from off to on to be in an open state. Air pump 63 is activated. At time T<b>1 , the liquid supply pump 32 is not activated and water is not being supplied to the chamber 10 . The controller 80 starts the operation of the air pump 63 to start supplying air to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 before starting the operation of the liquid supply pump 32 to start the transfer of water to the chamber 10 . .

By supplying air to the chamber 10 before supplying water to the chamber 10, when the chamber 10 contains more water than the amount required for sterilization, such as when the previous sterilization process was interrupted, the excess water can be removed. water is discharged from the chamber 10. In addition, even if the amount of water stored in the chamber 10 is small, the air supplied to the chamber 10 is discharged from the chamber 10 via the overflow pipe 51 so that the inside of the overflow pipe 51, especially the chamber 10 and the overflow sensor 54 is sent from the overflow pipe 51 to the water tank 20 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the water in the chamber 10 or the water remaining in the overflow pipe 51 passes through the overflow sensor 54, and at time Ta, the overflow sensor 54 detects the flow of water. , the overflow sensor 54 is switched on. After the air pump 63 starts supplying air to the chamber 10 at time T1, until a predetermined time elapses, regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor 54, the fluid supply pump 32 continues to be stopped, and the air pump 63 is turned off. Driving continues.

In the case of this embodiment, the time from time T1 to time T2 is the predetermined time in step S2, and even if the overflow sensor 54 is switched from off to on at time Ta between time T1 and time T2, liquid supply The operating states of the pump 32 and the air pump 63 are maintained as they are. During the time from time T1 to time T2, the liquid supply pump 32 continues to stop transferring water to the chamber 10 and the air pump 63 continues to supply air to the chamber 10 .

At step S2 shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of air supply. In the case of the embodiment, NO is determined in step S2 and the determination in step S2 is repeated until time T2. At time T2, YES is determined in step S2, and the process advances to step S3 to determine whether or not the overflow sensor 54 is off.

If it is determined that the overflow sensor 54 is ON (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, in which it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The predetermined time in step S4 is different from the predetermined time in step S2 (time from time T1 to time T2). The predetermined time in step S4 may start from the air supply start time (T1), or may start from the time (T2) after the predetermined time in step S2 has passed. The predetermined time in step S4 may be double the predetermined time in step S2.

If it is determined in step S4 that the predetermined time has not yet passed (NO in step S4), the process returns to step S3, and it is again determined whether or not overflow sensor 54 is off. In step S3, when it is determined that the overflow sensor 54 is ON and water flows through the overflow path 50, a predetermined time is set as a waiting time until the water discharge is completed. Not treated as an error.

If it is determined in step S4 that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the overflow sensor 54 does not turn off even after the predetermined time has passed, the overflow sensor 54 itself may be out of order, or the liquid supply electromagnetic valve 33 may be left open due to a malfunction such as foreign matter being caught. Therefore, an error is reported and the sterilization process ends.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the overflow sensor 54 is turned off at time T3 before the predetermined time elapses. When overflow sensor 54 is detected to be off (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S6, and liquid supply to chamber 10 is started. FIG. 7 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at times T3 to T5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, when the overflow sensor 54 turns off at time T3, the liquid supply solenoid valve 33 is switched from off to on to open, and the liquid supply pump 32 is activated. Water transfer by the liquid supply pump 32 is started, and water is supplied from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 .

At this time, the overflow solenoid valve 53 remains open. Air in chamber 10 is exhausted from chamber 10 via overflow path 50 . Therefore, it is avoided that the internal pressure of the chamber 10 rises and water supply to the chamber 10 is hindered.

Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid supply to the chamber 10 was started. In this embodiment, the time from time T3 to time T4 is the predetermined time in step S7. Until time T4, NO is determined in step S7, and the determination in step S7 is repeated.

The predetermined time in step S7 is different from the predetermined time in step S2 (time from time T1 to time T2) and the predetermined time in step S4. The predetermined time in step S7 may be double the predetermined time in step S2. The predetermined time in step S7 may be the same time as the predetermined time in step S4.

Originally, when the overflow sensor 54 was turned on during water supply to the chamber 10 , the water stored in the chamber 10 reached the upper end of the rising portion 52 and an excessive amount of water flowed into the overflow pipe 51 . It is determined that more water than is required for sterilization has already been supplied to chamber 10, and water supply to chamber 10 is stopped. On the other hand, when water supply to the chamber 10 is started while the sterilization heater 12 is still heated and the water supply to the chamber 10 is high, such as when the previous sterilization process is interrupted, the heat of the sterilization heater 12 generates water vapor. As this water vapor flows through the overflow path 50, the overflow sensor 54 may be turned on by detecting the flow of water vapor.

Therefore, from the start of water supply to the chamber 10 until the predetermined time in step S7 has elapsed, regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor 54, the liquid supply pump 32 continues to operate and the liquid supply pump 32 Water transfer from reservoir 20 to chamber 10 continues. In the case of the embodiment, the operation of the liquid supply pump 32 is continued from the start of water supply to the chamber 10 at time T3 until time T4. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the overflow sensor 54 is turned on at time Tb between time T3 and time T4, and the overflow sensor 54 is turned off at time Tc. The detection results of these overflow sensors 54 are not used to determine the operating conditions of the liquid supply pump 32, and the liquid supply pump 32 continues to operate from time T3 to time T4.

If it is determined in step S7 that the predetermined time has passed (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8, in which it is determined whether or not the overflow sensor 54 is on. As shown in FIG. 4, after time T4, overflow sensor 54 does not detect water flow and remains off until time T5 (NO in step S8). As shown in FIG. 3, the determination of step S8 is repeated until the overflow sensor 54 is turned on. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, until the overflow sensor 54 is turned on, the liquid supply solenoid valve 33 remains on and the liquid supply pump 32 continues to operate. Thereby, the supply of water from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 is continued.

When the overflow sensor 54 is turned on (YES in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9 and liquid supply ends. FIG. 8 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at times T5 to T6. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, when the overflow sensor 54 is turned on at time T5 and the flow of water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 is detected, the liquid supply electromagnetic valve 33 is switched from on to off and closed. and the liquid supply pump 32 is stopped. As a result, the transfer of water by the liquid supply pump 32 is stopped, and the supply of water from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 is stopped.

Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the overflow sensor 54 is off. As shown in FIG. 4, after time T5, water continues to flow past the overflow sensor 54 until time T6, and the overflow sensor 54 remains on (NO in step S10). ). As shown in FIG. 3, the determination of step S10 is repeated until the overflow sensor 54 is turned off. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the overflow solenoid valve 53 remains open and the supply of air to the chamber 10 is maintained. Excess water in chamber 10 is thereby discharged from chamber 10 via overflow path 50 .

When the overflow sensor 54 is turned off (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11 and the air supply ends. FIG. 9 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at times T6-T7. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, when the overflow sensor 54 is turned off at time T6, the electromagnetic supply valve 64 is switched from on to off and closed, and the air pump 63 is stopped. This stops the supply of air to the chamber 10 .

After these steps, the water supply process is completed, and then the heating process for heating the inside of the chamber 10 for sterilization is started. FIG. 10 is a system diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at the start of the heating process. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, at time T7, the overflow solenoid valve 53 is switched from ON to OFF to be closed, and the exhaust solenoid valve 74 is switched from OFF to ON to be opened.

In this state, the sterilization heater 12 is activated to start heating the water in the chamber 10 . Air in chamber 10 is forced out of chamber 10 by the generated water vapor. When the chamber 10 is filled with water vapor at a predetermined temperature and pressure, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 74 is closed to seal the internal space of the chamber 10 . The object to be sterilized 100 is sterilized by maintaining the inside of the chamber 10 at high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time.

After the object to be sterilized 100 is sterilized inside the chamber 10 , water vapor remaining inside the chamber 10 is discharged out of the chamber 10 via the exhaust passage 40 . Next, a drying process for drying the inside of the chamber 10 is performed. Thereafter, the operator using the steam sterilizer 1 can open the opening/closing lid 11 and take out the sterilized object 100 after sterilization from the chamber 10 .

Although there are parts that overlap with the above description, the characteristic configuration and effects of the steam sterilizer 1 of the embodiment will be collectively described as follows. It should be noted that the configurations of the embodiments are given reference numbers, but these are only examples.

Steam sterilizer 1 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. and an overflow sensor 54 . As shown in FIG. 4, when water is supplied to the chamber 10, the operation of the liquid supply pump 32 is started at time T3, and the transfer of water to the chamber 10 is started. Until then, regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor 54, the operation of the liquid supply pump 32 is continued and the transfer of water to the chamber 10 is continued. After time T4, when the overflow sensor 54 detects the flow of water through the overflow pipe 51 at time T5, the liquid supply pump 32 is stopped and the transfer of water to the chamber 10 is stopped.

When the water supply to the chamber 10 is started, water vapor discharged from the high-temperature chamber 10 flows through the overflow pipe 51, and even if the overflow sensor 54 detects this water vapor, the water supply to the chamber 10 is not stopped, Continue water supply. As a result, the amount of water required for sterilization can be reliably supplied into the chamber 10 .

Also, as shown in FIG. 1 , the steam sterilizer 1 is equipped with an air pump 63 that supplies air to the chamber 10 . As shown in FIG. 4, when supplying water to the chamber 10, the operation of the air pump 63 is started to supply air to the chamber 10 before the liquid supply pump 32 starts transferring water to the chamber 10. is started. Before starting water supply to the chamber 10, the water remaining in the overflow path 50 is pushed out by air to reduce the amount of water remaining in the overflow pipe 51, thereby reducing the amount of water remaining in the overflow pipe 51. The occurrence of water flow in 51 can be suppressed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4 , while the air pump 63 is supplying air to the chamber 10 before the liquid supply pump 32 starts transferring water to the chamber 10 , the overflow sensor 54 indicates that the water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 is When the flow is detected, the supply of air to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 is continued and the transfer of water to the chamber 10 by the liquid supply pump 32 is continued to be stopped. After that, when the overflow sensor 54 no longer detects the flow of water flowing through the overflow pipe 51, the transfer of water to the chamber 10 by the liquid supply pump 32 is started. In this way, it is possible to start supplying water after confirming that there is no failure in the overflow sensor 54 and the liquid supply solenoid valve 33 before starting supplying water to the chamber 10. It can be reliably detected by the sensor 54 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, after the air pump 63 starts supplying air to the chamber 10 at time T1 before the liquid supply pump 32 starts transferring water to the chamber 10, a predetermined time elapses. Until time T<b>2 , regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor 54 , the liquid supply pump 32 continues to stop the transfer of water to the chamber 10 . By doing so, the water supply to the chamber 10 can be started after the water is reliably discharged from the overflow pipe 51 .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as above, the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 steam sterilizer, 10 chamber, 11 open/close lid, 12 sterilization heater, 13 mounting table, 14 drying heater, 16 temperature sensor, 17 connecting part, 20 water tank, 30 liquid supply path, 31 liquid supply pipe, 32 liquid supply pump , 33 liquid supply solenoid valve, 40 exhaust path, 41 exhaust pipe, 43 exhaust steam solenoid valve, 50 overflow path, 51 overflow pipe, 52 rising portion, 53 overflow solenoid valve, 54 overflow sensor, 60 air supply path, 61 Air supply pipe, 62 Air filter, 63 Air pump, 64 Air supply solenoid valve, 68 Pressure gauge, 69 Pressure pipe, 70 Exhaust path, 71 Exhaust pipe, 74 Exhaust solenoid valve, 75 Branch pipe, 76 Safety valve, 80 Control unit, 81 Input Section 82 Timer 100 Object to be sterilized T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, Ta, Tb, Tc Time.

Claims (4)

a chamber capable of storing an object to be sterilized;
a heater for heating the liquid supplied into the chamber;
In a steam sterilizer that sterilizes the object to be sterilized with steam of the liquid generated by heating the heater,
a liquid supply unit that transfers the liquid to the chamber;
an overflow tube for draining excess liquid from the chamber when the chamber is filled;
an overflow sensor that detects the flow of liquid flowing through the overflow pipe;
an air supply unit that supplies air to the chamber;
A control unit that controls the operation of the steam sterilizer,
When the liquid is supplied to the chamber, the control section controls the flow of the liquid by the liquid supply section until a predetermined time elapses after the liquid supply section starts transferring the liquid, regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor. continue the transfer,
When the overflow sensor detects the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe after the predetermined time has passed, the control section stops transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply section ,
The control unit causes the air supply unit to start supplying air to the chamber before starting transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply unit when liquid is supplied to the chamber;
Until a predetermined time elapses after the air supply unit starts supplying air to the chamber before the liquid supply unit starts to transfer the liquid, the control unit is configured to perform the operation regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor. a steam sterilizer that continues to stop the transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply unit. a chamber capable of storing an object to be sterilized;
a heater for heating the liquid supplied into the chamber;
In a steam sterilizer that sterilizes the object to be sterilized with steam of the liquid generated by heating the heater,
a liquid supply unit that transfers the liquid to the chamber;
an overflow tube for draining excess liquid from the chamber when the chamber is filled;
an overflow sensor that detects the flow of liquid flowing through the overflow pipe;
an air supply unit that supplies air to the chamber;
A control unit that controls the operation of the steam sterilizer,
When the liquid is supplied to the chamber, the control section controls the flow of the liquid by the liquid supply section until a predetermined time elapses after the liquid supply section starts transferring the liquid, regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor. continue the transfer,
When the overflow sensor detects the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe after the predetermined time has passed, the control section stops transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply section,
When liquid is supplied to the chamber, the control unit causes the air supply unit to start supplying air to the chamber before starting transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply unit, and the air accumulates in the overflow pipe. a steam sterilizer for discharging said liquid . The controller once detects the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe by the overflow sensor while the air supply section is supplying air to the chamber before the liquid supply section starts transferring the liquid. 3. The steam sterilizer according to claim 2 , wherein said liquid supply unit initiates transfer of said liquid when said overflow sensor detects no liquid flow through said overflow pipe thereafter. Until a predetermined time elapses after the air supply unit starts supplying air to the chamber before the liquid supply unit starts to transfer the liquid, the control unit is configured to perform the operation regardless of the detection result of the overflow sensor. 4. The steam sterilizer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the stop of transfer of the liquid by the liquid supply unit is continued first.

Images