JPH04128747U - steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] In a steam sterilizer, pressurized air is introduced into the sterilization chamber to improve the efficiency of the drying process after the sterilization process. [Structure] An air flow path (10) equipped with an air filter device (8) is connected to the sterilization chamber (1a), and the air flow path (10) is connected to the compressor on the upstream side of the filter device (8). Connect the pressure air flow path (11). In the drying process after the sterilization process, the pressure inside the sterilization chamber (1a) is reduced by driving the vacuum pump (14) to remove moisture from the object to be sterilized, and then the pressurized air is set at a predetermined pressure and introduced. and accelerates drying of items to be sterilized. After that (for a predetermined period of time), the vacuum pump (14) is driven again to reduce the pressure and complete the drying process.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This idea can be used in steam sterilizers that sterilize medical machines, clothing, etc. , relates to improving the drying efficiency of objects to be sterilized.

0002

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, a steam sterilizer is a device that steam-processes objects to be sterilized in a steam atmosphere. It consists of a sterilization chamber that houses the objects to be sterilized, and a steam chamber surrounding this sterilization tank. The sterilization chamber is equipped with a suction path including a vacuum pump and an air filter. The steam chamber has a steam supply path for introducing steam, and a steam supply path for introducing steam into the steam chamber. It is used with the other end of the steam flow path connected to the sterilization tank connected, but its operation is generally as follows. It's like this:

0003 That is, steam supplied from outside is first introduced into the steam chamber to heat the sterilization chamber. Warm up. Then, the air in the sterilization chamber is exhausted by driving a vacuum pump, and then the air is evacuated. A solenoid valve in the middle of the air flow path is opened for a short time to send the steam in the steam chamber to the sterilization room. The vacuum process begins, which involves repeating the process of filling the container with water. After completing this vacuum process, the steam flow path is The steam in the steam chamber is introduced into the sterilization chamber through the sterilization chamber, and the sterilization chamber is filled with steam. Move on to the sterilization process to sterilize the objects to be sterilized inside. After that, the exhaust stroke and drying stroke are as follows. After completing the entire process, the items to be sterilized are removed from the sterilization room.

0004

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, in the drying process mentioned above, highly hygroscopic materials such as medical gauze etc. Drying of fungi is insufficient. However, if this is dried in a pressurized air atmosphere, This should further improve drying efficiency.

[0005]

[Means to solve the problem]

This idea was made with attention to the above, and in a steam sterilizer. , connect an air channel equipped with an air filter device to the sterilization chamber, and Connect the compressed air flow path that communicates with the compressor to the upstream side of the filter unit. It is a feature.

[0006]

[Effect]

The drying process of the steam sterilizer according to this invention is carried out in the sterilization chamber by driving a vacuum pump. Reduce the pressure inside and remove moisture from the items to be sterilized. Next, open the solenoid valve of the pressure air flow path and empty it. Pressurized air is introduced through the air filter device to maintain a predetermined pressure inside the sterilization chamber. After a predetermined period of time, the vacuum pump is driven again to reduce the pressure inside the sterilization chamber. Promote drying of items to be sterilized.

[0007]

【Example】

Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a sterilizer according to this invention. (1) in the figure shows the double can structure. A can with an internal part to the sterilization chamber (1a) and an external part to the surrounding steam chamber (1b). Each is configured. (2) is the steam inlet connected to an external steam source, with a solenoid valve (3) and pressure regulating valve (4) are opened, steam passes through the steam supply path (5) and enters the steam chamber. It is configured to flow into the bar (1b).

[0009] (6) is the air inlet, with a solenoid valve (7), air filter device (8) and heat exchanger (9) in the middle. The other end is connected to the sterilization chamber (1a). Ru. Further, the pressure air flow path (11) according to this invention is similar to the air flow path (10) as shown in FIG. The solenoid valve (7) is connected between the air filter device (8) and the other end is not shown. It communicates with the receiver tank of the compressor, and there is a solenoid valve (12) and pressure A regulating valve (13) is installed in parallel.

0010 The heat exchanger (9) is connected to a steam supply path (14) branched from the middle of the steam supply path (5). A solenoid valve (15) is inserted in the middle. Also, connect one end to the bottom of the heat exchanger (9). The continuous discharge passage (16) is connected to the discharge circuit (18) via a steam trap (17) on the way. and is connected to the discharge port (20) via the check valve (19).

[0011] The first exhaust circuit (21) connected to the sterilization chamber (1a) includes a solenoid valve (22) and a check valve. (24), a vacuum pump (25), and a check valve (26) before reaching the discharge port (20).

0012 The second exhaust circuit (23) connected to the sterilization chamber (1a) has a solenoid valve (30) and a check valve in the middle. It reaches the outlet (20) via the valve (31). Also, from the middle of this second exhaust circuit (23) A steam trap (33) and check valve (34) are inserted into the branched drain recovery path (32). The other end reaches the exhaust port (20) via the second exhaust circuit (23).

[0013] On the other hand, the steam flow path (27) connected to the steam chamber (1b) is connected to a solenoid valve (28). It is connected to the sterilization room (1a) via. Also, connect one end to the bottom of the steam chamber (1b). The connected discharge circuit (18) passes through a steam trap (29) and a check valve (19). Connected to the outlet (20).

[0014] In the above configuration, the operation will be explained sequentially using the sterilization process diagram shown in Figure 2. I will clarify. (Hereinafter, each solenoid valve is considered to be closed unless it is clearly marked as open.)

[0015] First, after carrying the objects to be sterilized into the sterilization room (1a), the entrance/exit door is closed.

[0016] 1) Preparation process When the solenoid valve (3) is opened and the pressure regulating valve (4) is set to the specified pressure, the steam inlet (2) Steam is sent into the steam chamber (1b) through the steam supply path (5), and the sterilization chamber (1a) is pre-filled. It gets heated. In addition, steam supply to this steam chamber (1b) is carried out throughout the entire process, In addition, the condensate condensed in this steam chamber is sent to the steam trap from the discharge circuit (18). is discharged to the outlet (20) via the pipe (29).

[0017] 2) Vacuum process Open the solenoid valve (22) and drive the vacuum pump (25) to pass through the first exhaust circuit (21). Exhaust the air in the sterilization room (1a). Next, close the solenoid valve (22), open the solenoid valve (28) in the middle of the steam flow path (27) for a short time, and Steam is introduced from the air chamber (1b) into the sterilization chamber (1a) through the steam channel (27). this By repeating exhaustion and steam introduction several times alternately, the air contained in the object to be sterilized is removed. This reduces uneven heating of steam during the subsequent sterilization process.

[0018] 3) Sterilization process After thoroughly exhausting the air in the sterilization chamber (1a) in the previous step, open the solenoid valve (28) again and start the evaporation process. Steam is introduced into the sterilization chamber (1a) from the steam chamber (1b) through the air flow path (27). this By filling the sterilization chamber with high-temperature, high-pressure steam, germs attached to the objects to be sterilized are removed. Thoroughly sterilize.

[0019] 4) Exhaust process After the sterilization process is completed, the solenoid valve (28) is closed to interrupt the supply of steam into the sterilization chamber (1a). then Open the solenoid valve (30) of the second exhaust circuit (23) and drain the steam in the sterilization chamber (1a) through the exhaust port (20). Discharge.

[0020] 5) Drying process In the drying process according to this invention, the solenoid valve (30) is closed following the exhaust process of the previous process, Open the solenoid valve (22) of the first exhaust circuit (21) and drive the vacuum pump (25) to open the sterilization chamber. (1a) Depressurize the interior to a specified degree of vacuum to eliminate moisture from the object to be sterilized. Next, the steam supply path (1 4) Open the solenoid valve (15) to introduce steam into the heat exchanger (9) and maintain it at the specified temperature. . On the other hand, open the solenoid valve (12) of the pressure air flow path (11) that communicates with the compressor, and When the regulating valve (13) is set to a predetermined pressure, the pressurized air passes through the heat exchanger (9). During the process, it is heated and the inside of the sterilization chamber (1a) is maintained at a specified pressure and high temperature. (high temperature and high pressure drying), and after a predetermined period of time, the solenoid valve (12) and the same solenoid valve (15) are Close and interrupt the supply of pressurized air into the sterilization chamber (1a). And, again, the solenoid valve (22) Open the vacuum pump (25) to reduce the pressure inside the sterilization chamber (1a), and simultaneously vacuum dry and sterilize. Cool the fungi.

[0021] 6) Take out After the drying process is completed, open the solenoid valve (7) to allow air to pass through the sterilization chamber (1a) through the air filter (8). and communicate with the outside to make the pressure the same as atmospheric pressure. Also, close the solenoid valve (3) and close the steam chamber. Steam supply to the bar (1b) is stopped. After that, the door of the sterilization room (1a) is opened and the objects to be sterilized are taken out, and the entire process is completed.

[0022]

[Effect of the idea]

Since this invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. In other words, in the drying process, high-temperature pressurized air is pumped into the sterilization chamber at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time. As shown in Figure 3, the drying efficiency of the objects to be sterilized is improved compared to the conventional drying process. can be greatly improved. In addition, the conventional drying process is performed on the vacuum side, and pulse rotation is The number of vacuum pulses was repeated 5 to 7 times, but in the drying process of this invention, the vacuum pulse only needs to be applied twice. Therefore, the drive time of the vacuum pump and the number of ON/OFF operations are reduced, so the power consumption is reduced. Power costs can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a steam sterilizer to which this invention is applied.

[Fig. 2] During sterilization work of the steam sterilizer shown in Fig. 1,
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing pressure changes inside the sterilization chamber.

FIG. 3 is a table comparing the dry weight of objects to be sterilized between the conventional drying process and the drying process of this invention based on an experiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing pressure changes in the sterilization chamber during conventional sterilization work.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a Sterilizer 8 Air filter device 10 Air flow path 11 Pressure air flow path

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] [Claim 1] In a steam sterilizer, a sterilization chamber (1a)
An air flow path (10) equipped with an air filter device (8) is connected to the air flow path (10), and an air flow path (10) equipped with an air filter device (8) is connected to the air flow path (10) on the upstream side of the filter device (8).
A steam sterilizer characterized by having a compressed air flow path (11) connected to a compressor.