JP7253280B2 - steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steam sterilizer that kills microorganisms such as bacteria with high-temperature, 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

Registered Utility Model No. 3014425 (Patent Document 1) discloses a configuration in which an overflow pipe is connected to the sterilization tank, and when the set water level is exceeded, part of the water in the sterilization tank flows through the overflow pipe into the raw water storage tank. It is The conventional configuration is good in that the water level in the sterilization tank does not fall below the set value, but there are cases where the sterilization process is started with an excessive amount of water exceeding the set water level in the sterilization tank. In this case, the sterilization process may take longer than necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam sterilizer capable of improving the uniformity of the amount of liquid supplied into the chamber containing the items to be sterilized.

A steam sterilizer according to the present invention comprises a chamber capable of storing an object to be sterilized and a heater for heating liquid supplied into the chamber, and sterilizes the object to be sterilized by the vapor of the liquid generated by heating the heater. . The steam sterilizer includes an overflow tube that drains excess liquid from the chamber when the chamber is being filled, and an air pump that supplies air to the chamber when the chamber is being filled.

The steam sterilizer described above further comprises a reservoir for storing the liquid to be supplied into the chamber. The overflow pipe has one end that opens into the chamber, the other end that opens into the reservoir, and an upward flow forming portion in which a path from one end to the other end rises upward.

The steam sterilizer described above is equipped with an overflow sensor that detects the flow of liquid through the overflow tube.

The steam sterilizer described above further comprises a reservoir for storing the liquid to be supplied into the chamber. The overflow tube has one end that opens into the chamber and the other end that opens into the reservoir. An overflow sensor is provided on the path of the overflow pipe. Alternatively, the overflow sensor is provided within the reservoir.

In the above steam sterilizer, the overflow sensor detects the upper limit of the liquid level in the reservoir.

The above steam sterilizer further comprises a controller for controlling the operation of the steam sterilizer. When the overflow sensor detects the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe, the control unit stops the supply of liquid to the chamber while continuing the supply of air to the chamber by the air pump. When no more flow is detected, the air pump stops supplying air to the chamber.

The steam sterilizer described above further comprises a feed pump for transferring and feeding liquid to the chamber. The controller starts supplying air to the chamber with the air pump after a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid supply pump started supplying the liquid to the chamber.

In the steam sterilizer described above, the air pump supplies air to the chamber after sterilization of the object to be sterilized.

In the steam sterilizer described above, the overflow pipe has a rising portion that rises upward from the bottom surface of the chamber.

In the above steam sterilizer, the upper end of the rising portion constitutes one end of the overflow pipe, and the one end is formed with an opening opening into the chamber. The steam sterilizer further includes a mesh member attached to one end and covering the opening.

In the above steam sterilizer, the mesh member has a dome shape protruding from one end.

According to the steam sterilizer of the present invention, the uniformity of the amount of liquid supplied into the chamber can be improved.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a steam sterilizer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of an overflow pipe in the chamber shown in FIG. 1; FIG. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an overflow tube within the chamber shown in Figure 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of overflow pipes; It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the steam sterilizer. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T1 to T2; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T2 to T3; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at time T3-T4; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at times T4 to T5; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer at time T6; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer in the drying process; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a steam sterilizer according to Embodiment 2; 14 is a partially enlarged view of the water tank shown in FIG. 13; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a steam sterilizer according to Embodiment 3;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. In the drawings below, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a steam sterilizer 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the steam sterilizer 1 of the present 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 heater 12 is installed near the bottom surface 10 b of the chamber 10 . Heater 12 is arranged to extend along bottom surface 10 b of chamber 10 . The heater 12 heats the water supplied into the chamber 10 to generate steam. The steam sterilizer 1 sterilizes an object 100 to be sterilized with steam generated by heating with a heater 12 .

Water is one example of a liquid that may be supplied into chamber 10 for sterilization. The water may be ordinary 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 heater 12 substantially parallel to the bottom surface 10 b of the chamber 10 .

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 internal space of the water tank 20 includes a liquid phase portion 21 containing water and a gas phase portion 22 containing air. A water level sensor 26 for detecting the water level in the water tank 20 is installed in the internal space of the water tank 20 .

Chamber 10 and water tank 20 are communicated by water supply path 30 , discharge path 40 and overflow path 50 . The water supply path 30 is a path for supplying water from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 . The discharge path 40 is a path for discharging water, water vapor and air 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 water supply path 30 includes a water supply pipe 31 , a water supply pump 32 and a water supply electromagnetic valve 33 . One end of the water supply pipe 31 is connected inside the water tank 20 and the other end is connected to the chamber 10 . The water supply pump 32 is provided on the upstream side of the path of the water supply pipe 31 (on the side close to the water tank 20). The water supply electromagnetic valve 33 is provided on the downstream side of the path of the water supply pipe 31 (on the side closer to the chamber 10).

The water supply pump 32 supplies water into the chamber 10 by transferring water from the water tank 20 in the direction of flow toward the chamber 10 . The water supply solenoid valve 33 is arranged downstream of the water supply path 30 with respect to the water supply pump 32 and opens and closes the water supply path 30 . The water supply electromagnetic 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 discharge path 40 includes a drain pipe 41 , an exhaust pipe 42 , a common pipe 43 and a discharge electromagnetic valve 44 . Drain pipe 41 is a path for water discharged from chamber 10 to flow. One end of the drain pipe 41 is connected to the bottom surface 10 b of the chamber 10 . Water in the chamber 10 is discharged out of the chamber 10 through the drain pipe 41 .

The exhaust pipe 42 is a path through which gas discharged from the chamber 10 flows. One end of the exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the chamber 10 at a position above the highest water surface in the chamber 10 . The exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the chamber 10 at a position above the water surface when water is supplied into the chamber 10 . Air, water vapor, or a mixture of these in the chamber 10 is discharged out of the chamber 10 through the exhaust pipe 42 .

The common pipe 43 is a path through which both the water discharged from the chamber 10 and flowing through the drain pipe 41 and the gas discharged from the chamber 10 and flowing through the exhaust pipe 42 flow. The common pipe 43 shares a path for gas flow and a path for water flow. One end of the common pipe 43 communicates with both the drain pipe 41 and the exhaust pipe 42 . One end of the common pipe 43, the other ends of the drain pipe 41 and the other ends of the exhaust pipe 42 may be connected to each other via a joint configured by a joint. The other end of the common pipe 43 is arranged inside the water tank 20 .

Inside the water tank 20 , the common pipe 43 has a condenser portion 45 . The condenser section 45 is submerged in the liquid phase section 21 in the water tank 20 . In the condenser section 45, heat is transferred from the high-temperature water and steam passing through the common pipe 43 to the water stored inside the water tank 20, and the temperature of the fluid flowing through the common pipe 43 is lowered. As a result, the condenser section 45 reduces noise when water is discharged into the water tank 20 . The condenser section 45 has a silent function to reduce the volume of the sound generated by the steam sterilizer 1 .

Inside the water tank 20 , the common pipe 43 has a bent portion 46 . The common pipe 43 rises upward from the condenser portion 45 and extends from the liquid phase portion 21 to the gas phase portion 22 in the water tank 20 . The common pipe 43 is bent at a bent portion 46 and extends downward. The other end of the common pipe 43 is arranged facing the liquid surface in the water tank 20 . As a result, the water or steam discharged from the common pipe 43 into the water tank 20 flows out from the other end of the common pipe 43 toward the water stored in the water tank 20 .

A discharge electromagnetic valve 44 is provided in the common pipe 43 . The discharge solenoid valve 44 is arranged outside the water tank 20 . The discharge solenoid valve 44 opens and closes the discharge path 40 . The discharge electromagnetic valve 44 is provided so as 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 is open to the bottom inside the chamber 10 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the overflow pipe 51 in the chamber 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of overflow tube 51 within chamber 10 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the overflow pipe 51 has a rising portion 52 rising upward from the bottom surface 10b of the chamber 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper end of the rising portion 52 constitutes one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 . An opening 57 is formed at one end 56 of the overflow tube 51 . A chamfered surface 58 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the one end 56 and a chamfered surface 59 is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the one end 56 . A mesh member 90 is attached to the upper end of the rising portion 52 (one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51). The mesh member 90 is attached to the annular surface inside the outer peripheral edge of the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 where the chamfered surfaces 58 and 59 are not formed, and is welded to the annular surface by, for example, brazing. It is

The mesh member 90 has a net-like structure. Water in the chamber 10 can pass through the mesh member 90 and flow into the overflow pipe 51 . An opening 57 formed at one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 opens into the chamber 10 via a mesh member 90 . The mesh member 90 covers the opening 57 from above.

The mesh member 90 has a dome shape protruding from one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 . The outline of the mesh member 90 is a partial spherical shape. For example, mesh member 90 may have a hemispherical general shape.

Returning to FIG. 1 , overflow pipe 51 is connected to water tank 20 . The other end 55 of the overflow pipe 51 is arranged inside the water tank 20 . The other end 55 of the overflow pipe 51 opens above the water tank 20 . The overflow pipe 51 communicates between the chamber 10 and the water tank 20 . Water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 flows out from the other end 55 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 on the downstream side (closer to the water tank 20) on the path of the overflow pipe 51. As shown in FIG.

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 . The overflow sensor 54 detects the flow of water that flows from the chamber 10 into the overflow pipe 51 and flows toward the water tank 20 via the overflow pipe 51 . 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 a capacitive sensor that senses water flow based on the difference between the dielectric constants of water and air.

The steam sterilizer 1 also has a blowing path 60 . The blowing path 60 includes a blowing pipe 61 , an air solenoid valve 62 and an air pump 63 . Air duct 61 has one end connected to chamber 10 and the other end connected to air pump 63 . The blower pipe 61 communicates the air pump 63 and the chamber 10 . Air pump 63 generates a flow of air.

The air solenoid valve 62 is provided on the blower pipe 61 . The air solenoid valve 62 opens and closes the blowing path 60 . The air solenoid valve 62 is provided to be switchable between an open state in which air can flow from the air pump 63 to the chamber 10 and a closed state in which air flow from the air pump 63 to the chamber 10 is prohibited.

The air pump 63 supplies air into the chamber 10 by transferring air in a direction from the other end of the blower tube 61 to one end. When air is sent into the chamber 10, water or water vapor in the chamber 10 is discharged out of the chamber 10 by the pressure of the air that is sent.

Steam sterilizer 1 further comprises a pressure line 70 . The pressure path 70 includes pressure pipes 71 , 73 and 75 , a joint 72 , a pressure gauge 74 and a safety valve 76 .

Pressure tube 71 has one end connected near the upper surface of chamber 10 and the other end connected to joint 72 . The pressure tube 73 has one end connected to the joint 72 and the other end connected to the pressure gauge 74 . Gas in chamber 10 reaches pressure gauge 74 via pressure tube 71 , joint 72 and pressure tube 73 . A pressure gauge 74 measures the pressure of the gas within the chamber 10 .

Pressure pipe 75 has one end connected to joint 72 and the other end connected to safety valve 76 . A safety valve 76 is provided in the water tank 20 . When the pressure of the gas in the chamber 10 rises excessively, the safety valve 76 opens, and the gas in the chamber 10 passes through the pressure pipe 71, the joint 72, the pressure pipe 73 and the safety valve 76 in order and is discharged into the water tank 20. be. This reduces the pressure inside the chamber 10 and maintains the pressure inside the chamber 10 within an appropriate range.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the overflow pipe 51. As shown in FIG. 4 shows the chamber 10, the water tank 20, and the overflow path 50 among the main components of the steam sterilizer 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the other components are omitted. Both the chamber 10 and the water reservoir 20 are mounted on the base portion 2 .

The overflow pipe 51 rises upward from the bottom surface 10 b of the chamber 10 and is connected to the top of the water tank 20 . The overflow sensor 54 is provided in the middle of the overflow pipe 51 . The overflow pipe 51 has an upward flow forming portion 51a that rises vertically upward. A path extending from one end 56 to the other end 55 of the overflow pipe 51 rises upward to form an upward flow forming portion 51a. The liquid flowing through the ascending flow forming portion 51a flows upward in the vertical direction.

The overflow sensor 54 is provided on the downstream side (closer to the water tank 20) than the upward flow forming portion 51a. Alternatively, the overflow sensor 54 may be provided in the middle of the upward flow forming portion 51a. The overflow sensor 54 is arranged at a position where the overflow pipe 51 rises upward from the bottom surface 10b of the chamber 10 . As described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, overflow pipe 51 opens into chamber 10 at the bottom. Therefore, the overflow sensor 54 is arranged at a position higher than the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 shown in FIG. The overflow sensor 54 may be provided on the upstream side of the upward flow forming portion 51 a , and the overflow sensor 54 may be arranged at a position lower than the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the steam sterilizer 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 , 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 , water level sensor 26 , overflow sensor 54 and pressure gauge 74 . 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 an input of a detection value relating to the water level in the water tank 20 from the water level sensor 26 . 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 unit 80 receives an input of a detected value relating to the pressure inside the chamber 10 from the pressure gauge 74 .

The control section 80 also has an input section 81 . An operator who uses the steam sterilizer 1 inputs set values such as heating 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 heater 12, the discharge solenoid valve 44, the water supply solenoid valve 33, the air solenoid valve 62, the overflow solenoid valve 53, the water supply pump 32, the air pump 63, etc., corresponding to each control step of the steam sterilizer 1. A control signal is output to each device included in the steam sterilizer 1 . By receiving the control signal from the control unit 80 and appropriately operating each device, the sterilization process of the object 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. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1. As shown in FIG. Of the steps for sterilizing objects to be sterilized by the steam sterilizer 1, the operation of the steam sterilizer 1 in the water supply step will be described in detail according to the timing chart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, 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. accommodate. The operator may place the object to be sterilized 100 into the chamber 10 before powering on the steam sterilizer 1 .

By switching the power of the steam sterilizer 1 from off to on, the exhaust solenoid valve 44 is turned on as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the discharge solenoid valve 44, the water supply solenoid valve 33, the air solenoid valve 62, and the overflow (OF) solenoid valve 53 are all kept closed in the off (de-energized) state, and closed in the on (energized) state. It is an open, normally closed solenoid valve.

The gas phase portion 22 of the water tank 20 is kept at atmospheric pressure. By opening the discharge electromagnetic valve 44 , the internal space of the chamber 10 and the gas phase portion 22 of the water tank 20 communicate with each other via the discharge path 40 . Thereby, the internal space of the chamber 10 is adjusted to the same atmospheric pressure as the gas phase portion 22 . By connecting the internal space of the chamber 10 and the gas phase portion 22 of the water tank 20, the air pressure inside the chamber 10 and the outside air pressure are kept constant. As a result, the opening/closing lid 11 of the chamber 10 can be easily opened and closed.

Next, at time T1, water supply is started. As shown in FIG. 6, the water supply solenoid valve 33 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are switched from on to off. The discharge solenoid valve 44 remains on. The air solenoid valve 62 remains off. As a result, the discharge solenoid valve 44, the water supply solenoid valve 33 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are opened, and the air solenoid valve 62 is closed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at times T1 to T2. The arrows shown in each path in FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8 to 12 to be described later indicate the flow of fluid (water, steam or air) flowing through each path. By activating the water supply pump 32 in a state in which opening and closing of each electromagnetic valve is set as described above, water supply is started and water W is supplied from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 . Air in chamber 10 is exhausted from chamber 10 via exhaust path 40 and 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.

Since the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 is lower than the position of one end 56 (FIG. 3) of the overflow tube 51, one end 56 of the overflow tube 51 is in the air. Therefore, air flows through the overflow pipe 51, but water W does not flow through the overflow pipe 51. - 特許庁

Next, at time T2 after a predetermined time has elapsed from time T1 when the water supply pump 32 starts supplying water to the chamber 10, the discharge solenoid valve 44 is switched from on to off, and the air solenoid valve 62 is turned off. to on. As a result, the discharge solenoid valve 44 is closed, and the water supply solenoid valve 33, the air solenoid valve 62 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are opened.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at times T2 to T3. By activating the air pump 63 with the solenoid valves set to open and close as described above, the supply of air into the chamber 10 is started, and the inside of the chamber 10 is pressurized. The water supply pump 32 continues to operate, and water supply from the water tank 20 to the chamber 10 continues. Due to the exhaust solenoid valve 44 being closed, the air in the chamber 10 is exhausted from the chamber 10 via the overflow path 50 .

Although the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 is higher than in FIG. 7, it is still lower than the end 56 of the overflow pipe 51, so the end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 is in the air. Therefore, air flows through the overflow pipe 51, but water W does not flow through the overflow pipe 51. - 特許庁

When the water supply to the chamber 10 is continued and the water level in the chamber 10 exceeds one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 , the water W in the chamber 10 flows into the overflow pipe 51 . Excess water W beyond one end 56 of the overflow tube 51 is drained from the chamber 10 and a water flow is produced through the overflow tube 51 . The flow of water through overflow pipe 51 is detected by overflow sensor 54 .

As shown in FIG. 6, the overflow sensor 54 is switched from off to on at time T3. It is estimated that the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 has exceeded one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 just before time T3. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at time T3-T4. Since the water W in the chamber 10 flows into the overflow pipe 51 , a mixed flow of water W and air flows through the overflow pipe 51 . Since air is supplied to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 when water is supplied to the chamber 10 , the outflow of water from the chamber 10 to the overflow pipe 51 is facilitated.

At time T4 after a predetermined time has elapsed from time T3 when the overflow sensor 54 is switched on, the water supply pump 32 is stopped and the water supply electromagnetic valve 33 is switched from on to off. As a result, the discharge solenoid valve 44 and the water supply solenoid valve 33 are closed, and the air solenoid valve 62 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are opened.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at time T4-T5. The supply of air to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 is continued with the opening and closing of each solenoid valve set as described above. While the mixed flow of water W and air is flowing through the overflow pipe 51, the overflow sensor 54 remains on. As the water W flows out of the chamber 10, the water surface Ws inside the chamber 10 is gradually lowered.

When the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 drops and reaches the position of one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51, the outflow of the water W from the chamber 10 stops. When the water flow through the overflow pipe 51 stops, the overflow sensor 54 that detects the water flow through the overflow pipe 51 is switched from on to off. As shown in FIG. 6, the overflow sensor 54 is switched from ON to OFF at time T5. It is estimated that the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 has fallen to the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 just before the time T5.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 at time T6. At time T6 after a predetermined time has elapsed from time T5 when the overflow sensor 54 is switched off, the air solenoid valve 62 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are switched from on to off, and the air pump 63 is stopped. This stops the supply of air to the chamber 10 . A water surface Ws in the chamber 10 is maintained at the position of one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 . Thus, the water supply step is completed, and the heating step is started.

The overflow sensor 54 is switched from off to on while water is being supplied to the chamber 10 , and after the water supply to the chamber 10 is stopped, the overflow sensor 54 is switched from on to off. is detected to be at one end 56 of the . Overflow sensor 54 is used to detect that the amount of water required for sterilization of object 100 to be sterilized has been supplied to chamber 10 .

At time T6, the discharge solenoid valve 44 is switched from off to on. As a result, the discharge solenoid valve 44 is opened, and the water supply solenoid valve 33, the air solenoid valve 62 and the overflow solenoid valve 53 are closed. The internal space of the chamber 10 and the gas phase portion 22 of the water tank 20 communicate with each other through the discharge path 40, thereby adjusting the internal space of the chamber 10 to the atmospheric pressure.

In the heating process, by turning on the heater 12 on the bottom surface of the chamber 10, the water supplied into the chamber 10 is heated by the heater 12 to generate steam. At the same time, the object to be sterilized 100 mounted on the mounting table 13 is also heated. The object to be sterilized 100 is sterilized by maintaining the inside of the chamber 10 at the required temperature for the required time.

After the sterilization process is completed, the water and steam in the chamber 10 are discharged to the water tank 20 for steaming. After the exhaustion is completed, the inside of the chamber 10 is dried.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each device of the steam sterilizer 1 in the drying process after the sterilization process of the object 100 to be sterilized. In the drying process, the heater 12 inside the chamber 10 is turned on. At this time, the discharge solenoid valve 44 and the air solenoid valve 62 are opened, and the air pump 63 is activated. Air is supplied into the chamber 10 by an air pump 63 . In this manner, the drying inside the chamber 10 is performed for a predetermined time.

By blowing air into the chamber 10 after the sterilization process is completed, water vapor remaining in the chamber 10 is discharged out of the chamber 10 via the discharge path 40 . The interior of the chamber 10 is dried by replacing the water vapor inside the chamber 10 with low humidity air.

After the set drying time has passed, the air electromagnetic valve 62 is closed, and the heater 12 and the air pump 63 are stopped. As a result, all steps for sterilization of the object 100 to be sterilized are completed. In this state, the heater 12 is off, and only the discharge electromagnetic valve 44 communicating between the chamber 10 and the gas phase portion 22 of the water tank 20 is opened, which is the same state as the time T0-T1 shown in FIG. An operator using the steam sterilizer 1 can safely open the opening/closing lid 11 and take out the sterilized object 100 after sterilization from the chamber 10 .

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the steam sterilizer 1 according to the second embodiment. The steam sterilizer 1 of Embodiment 2 differs from that of Embodiment 1 in the internal configuration of water tank 20 and the configuration of overflow path 50 .

Specifically, in the water tank 20 of Embodiment 2, a small tank 27 is formed by partitioning a part of the internal space. A small tank 27 is formed above the water tank 20 . The ceiling surface of the small tank 27 is formed by part of the ceiling surface of the water tank 20 . The overflow pipe 51 penetrates the ceiling surface of the small tank 27 . The other end 55 of overflow tube 51 is located inside small tank 27 . The other end 55 of overflow tube 51 opens into small tank 27 . Water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 flows out from the other end 55 into the small tank 27 .

A through hole 28 is formed through the side surface of the small tank 27 . The bottom surface of the small tank 27 is arranged apart from the bottom surface of the water tank 20 . A through hole 29 is formed through the bottom surface of the small tank 27 . The through holes 28 and 29 communicate between the internal space of the small tank 27 and the portion of the internal space of the water tank 20 that is the external space of the small tank 27 and does not form the small tank 27 . The overflow sensor 54 is not provided on the path of the overflow pipe 51 but is provided inside the water tank 20 unlike the first embodiment. More specifically, overflow sensor 54 is located within small reservoir 27 .

The water level sensor 26 is arranged near the bottom of the water tank 20 . The water level sensor 26 functions as a lower limit water level sensor that detects the lower limit of the water level in the water tank 20 . The water level sensor 26 and the overflow sensor 54 may be electrode-type or float-type water level sensors.

14 is a partially enlarged view of the water tank 20 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. FIG. 14 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the small tank 27 in the water tank 20 shown in FIG. A white arrow in FIG. 14 indicates water flowing out from the other end 55 of the overflow pipe 51 . Arrows in FIG. 14 indicate water flowing out of the small tank 27 via the through hole 29 .

The through hole 29 is formed such that its opening area is smaller than the opening area of the other end 55 . The water that has flowed into the small tank 27 from the other end 55 encounters great resistance when it tries to flow from the inside of the small tank 27 to the outside through the through hole 29 . Since the through-holes 29 are formed with a small diameter, the pressure loss when water passes through the through-holes 29 increases. Therefore, the water that has flowed into the small tank 27 is temporarily stored inside the small tank 27 without immediately flowing out from the through hole 29 .

When the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 rises and excess water in the chamber 10 is discharged from the overflow pipe 51 , water passes through the overflow pipe 51 and is supplied from the other end 55 into the small tank 27 . When water is stored in the small tank 27 and the water level rises and reaches the overflow sensor 54, the overflow sensor 54 is switched from off to on. As described with reference to FIG. 6, when the overflow sensor 54 remains on for a predetermined period of time, the water supply pump 32 can be stopped to stop supplying water to the chamber 10 .

After stopping the water supply to the chamber 10, when the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 drops and the outflow of the water W from the chamber 10 stops, the flow of water into the small tank 27 also stops. As the water gradually flows out from the through holes 29, the water level in the small tank 27 is lowered. When there is no more water at the overflow sensor 54, the overflow sensor 54 switches from ON to OFF. When the overflow sensor 54 remains off for a predetermined period of time, the air pump 63 is stopped and the water supply process can be completed. At this time, the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 is maintained at the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 .

The overflow sensor 54 is arranged above the water level sensor 26 in the water tank 20 . When manually supplying water into the water tank 20 , water also flows into the small tank 27 via the through holes 28 and 29 . By detecting that the water level in the small tank 27 rises and the overflow sensor 54 is switched from off to on, it is possible to notify that the water level in the water tank 20 has reached the upper limit. The overflow sensor 54 can be configured to function as an upper water level sensor that detects the upper limit of the water level in the water tank 20 .

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the steam sterilizer 1 of Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. The steam sterilizer 1 of Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiments 1 and 2 in the configuration of overflow path 50 .

One end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 of Embodiments 1 and 2 is arranged inside the chamber 10 and opens downward inside the chamber 10 . Overflow pipe 51 of Embodiments 1 and 2 has rising portion 52 rising upward from bottom surface 10 b of chamber 10 . On the other hand, one end of overflow pipe 51 shown in FIG. The overflow pipe 51 shown in FIG. 15 does not have a riser. Overflow pipe 51 is provided on the side of chamber 10 .

Even when the overflow pipe 51 is configured in this way, the water W in the chamber 10 flows into the overflow pipe 51 when the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 reaches one end of the overflow pipe 51 . Thereby, the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 can be maintained at one end of the overflow pipe 51 .

Note that FIG. 15 does not show that the side surface where the overflow pipe 51 is connected to the chamber 10 is the side surface where the temperature sensor 16 facing the opening/closing lid 11 is attached. The overflow pipe 51 may be configured to be connected to any side surface of the chamber 10 and have one end open to any side surface of the chamber 10 . The overflow pipe 51 may be connected to a side surface of the chamber 10 facing the opening/closing lid 11, or may be connected to a side surface of the chamber 10 forming an entrance/exit for the objects to be sterilized 100 opened/closed by the opening/closing lid 11. Alternatively, it may be connected to the opening/closing lid 11 .

The following summarizes the configuration and effects of the steam sterilizer 1 of the embodiment. It should be noted that the configurations of the embodiments are given reference numbers, but these are only examples.

Steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. It is an apparatus for sterilizing an object 100 to be sterilized with steam generated by heating. The steam sterilizer 1 includes an overflow pipe 51 for discharging an excessive amount of water from the chamber 10 when water is supplied to the chamber 10, and an air pump 63 for supplying air to the chamber 10 when liquid is supplied to the chamber 10. .

By activating the air pump 63 to supply air to the chamber 10 when water is supplied to the chamber 10 , the discharge of water from the chamber 10 to the overflow pipe 51 is facilitated. By draining the water from the chamber 10 using the air pump 63, the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 after completion of water supply can be kept constant at the position of one end 56 (FIG. 3) of the overflow pipe 51, as shown in FIG. can. Thereby, the uniformity of the amount of water supplied into the chamber 10 can be improved.

Also shown in FIG. 3, overflow tube 51 has one end 56 that opens into chamber 10 . As shown in FIG. 1, overflow tube 51 has an opposite end 55 that opens into reservoir 20 . As shown in FIG. 4, the overflow pipe 51 has an upward flow forming portion 51a in which a path from one end 56 to the other end 55 rises upward.

Air is supplied to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 when supplying water to the chamber 10 , and the water in the chamber 10 is discharged out of the chamber 10 by the air supplied into the chamber 10 . As a result, excess water can be discharged from the chamber 10 to the overflow pipe 51 even if the overflow pipe 51 has the upward flow forming portion 51a. The overflow pipe 51 can be constructed so that one end 56 opens to the bottom inside the chamber 10 and the other end 55 opens to the top of the water tank 20, so that the chamber 10 and the water tank 20 are connected inside the housing of the steam sterilizer 1. Can be placed side by side. By arranging at least a part, preferably all, of one of the chamber 10 and the water tank 20 to overlap the other in a side view, the vertical dimension of the casing of the steam sterilizer 1 can be reduced. , the housing can be miniaturized.

The steam sterilizer 1 also includes an overflow sensor 54, as shown in FIG. Overflow sensor 54 detects the flow of water flowing through overflow pipe 51 . When water is supplied to the chamber 10, the water supply is stopped when the overflow sensor 54 is turned on, and water is continued to be discharged from the chamber 10 to the overflow pipe 51 until the overflow sensor 54 is turned off. As a result, the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 after completion of water supply can be kept constant at the position of the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 .

The timing of stopping the water supply pump 32 when water is supplied to the chamber 10 (time T4 shown in FIG. 6) may be determined by the elapsed time after the water supply pump 32 is started. The timing of stopping the air pump 63 (time T6 shown in FIG. 6) may be determined by the elapsed time after the water supply pump 32 is stopped. By appropriately starting and stopping the water supply pump 32 and the air pump 63 according to the passage of time using the timer 82 (FIG. 5), the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 after the completion of water supply can be set to the position of one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51. can be kept constant at Therefore, the steam sterilizer 1 of the embodiment does not necessarily have to include the overflow sensor 54 .

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the steam sterilizer 1 further includes a water tank 20 that stores water to be supplied into the chamber 10 . As shown in FIG. 3, overflow tube 51 has one end 56 that opens into chamber 10 . As shown in FIG. 1, the overflow tube 51 has another end 55 that opens into the reservoir 20 . An overflow sensor 54 is provided on the path of the overflow pipe 51 . In this way, the overflow sensor 54 provided on the path of the overflow pipe 51 can be used to detect the flow of water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 .

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, the overflow sensor 54 is provided inside the water tank 20 . In this way, the flow of water flowing through the overflow pipe 51 can be detected using the overflow sensor 54 provided inside the water tank 20 . Since a space for arranging the overflow sensor 54 outside the water tank 20 is not required, the housing of the steam sterilizer 1 can be made smaller. An overflow sensor 54 provided in the water tank 20 may detect the upper limit of the liquid level in the water tank 20 . Since the overflow sensor 54 functions as an upper limit water level sensor for the water tank 20, there is no need to separately provide an upper limit water level sensor, and the structure of the steam sterilizer 1 can be simplified.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the steam sterilizer 1 further includes a control unit 80 that controls the operation of the steam sterilizer 1 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 , the controller 80 stops supplying liquid to the chamber 10 when the overflow sensor 54 detects the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe 51 . On the other hand, the controller 80 continues supplying air to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, when the overflow sensor 54 stops detecting the flow of liquid flowing through the overflow pipe 51 after the liquid supply to the chamber 10 is stopped, the controller 80 controls the air pump 63 to supply air to the chamber 10 . supply of Water supply is stopped when the overflow sensor 54 is turned on, and water is continued to be discharged from the chamber 10 to the overflow pipe 51 until the overflow sensor 54 is turned off. The position of one end 56 of the overflow tube 51 can be kept constant.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the steam sterilizer 1 further includes a water supply pump 32 that transfers water to the chamber 10 to supply water. The controller 80 starts supplying air to the chamber 10 by the air pump 63 after a predetermined time has passed since the water supply pump 32 started supplying water to the chamber 10 . The chamber 10 is configured so that air is not supplied to the chamber 10 immediately after water supply to the chamber 10 is started, and the air pressure in the chamber 10 at the beginning of water supply to the chamber 10 is atmospheric pressure. As a result, the load on the water supply pump 32 at the beginning of water supply to the chamber 10 can be reduced, and water can be quickly supplied to the chamber 10 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the air pump 63 supplies air to the chamber 10 after the sterilization process of the object 100 to be sterilized is completed. By using the air pump 63, which supplies air to the chamber 10 when liquid is supplied to the chamber 10, to supply air to the chamber 10 in the drying process after the sterilization of the object 100 to be sterilized, the chamber 10 can be There is no need to separately provide a pump for supplying air to the steam sterilizer 1, and the configuration of the steam sterilizer 1 can be simplified.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the overflow pipe 51 has a rising portion 52 that rises upward from the bottom surface 10b of the chamber 10. As shown in FIG. Overflow pipe 51 is formed so that water in chamber 10 flows into overflow pipe 51 from the upper end of rising portion 52 . In this way, compared to the configuration in which the overflow pipe is provided on the side of the chamber, the influence on the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 after the completion of water supply can be reduced when the chamber 10 is tilted. can.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 , the upper end of the rising portion 52 constitutes one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 . One end 56 is formed with an opening 57 opening into the chamber 10 . Steam sterilizer 1 further comprises a mesh member 90 attached to one end 56 and covering opening 57 . The mesh member 90 unbalances the water interface within the chamber 10 thereby reducing the surface tension of the water at one end 56 of the overflow tube 51 . As a result, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of water from remaining in the chamber 10 due to the generation of surface tension, so that the water surface Ws in the chamber 10 can be kept constant at the position of the one end 56 after the completion of water supply. . In addition, dust can be prevented from entering the overflow pipe 51 .

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mesh member 90 has a dome shape protruding from one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 . By applying the dome-shaped mesh member 90, the surface tension of water at the one end 56 of the overflow pipe 51 can be suppressed more effectively.

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, 10b bottom surface, 11 open/close lid, 12 heater, 13 mounting table, 20 water tank, 21 liquid phase portion, 22 gas phase portion, 26 water level sensor, 27 small tank, 28, 29 through hole, 30 water supply route, 31 water supply pipe, 32 water supply pump, 33 water supply solenoid valve, 40 discharge route, 41 drain pipe, 42 exhaust pipe, 43 common pipe, 44 discharge solenoid valve, 45 condenser section, 46 bent portion, 50 overflow route, 51 overflow pipe, 51a upward flow forming part, 52 rising part, 53 overflow solenoid valve, 54 overflow sensor, 55 other end, 56 one end, 57 opening, 58, 59 chamfered surface, 60 air blowing path, 61 blowing pipe, 62 air electromagnetic valve, 63 air pump, 70 pressure path, 80 control unit, 81 input unit, 82 timer, 90 mesh member, 100 object to be sterilized, W water, Ws water surface.

Claims (3)

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 reservoir for storing the liquid to be supplied into 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;
a control unit that controls the operation of the steam sterilizer,
the overflow tube has one end that opens into the chamber and the other end that opens into the reservoir;
The overflow sensor is provided in the liquid storage tank so as to detect the flow of the liquid flowing through the overflow pipe and flowing from the other end into the liquid storage tank ,
The steam sterilizer, wherein the controller stops liquid supply to the chamber when the overflow sensor detects the flow of liquid flowing through the overflow pipe and into the reservoir from the other end. 2. The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the overflow sensor detects the upper limit of the liquid level in the reservoir. 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 pump that transfers and supplies 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 pump that supplies air to the chamber when liquid is supplied to the chamber;
a control unit that controls the operation of the steam sterilizer,
The control unit causes the air pump to start supplying air to the chamber after a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid supply pump started supplying liquid to the chamber, and then the overflow sensor A steam sterilizer, wherein, upon detecting liquid flow through said overflow tube, said chamber is stopped from being supplied with liquid while said air pump continues to supply air to said chamber.

Images