JPH10127736A - Disinfection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the safety by making detailed diagnosis of each constituent element prior to the start of normal operation when the power to the disinfection device is to be put on, and performing simplified diagnosis of the element at each run of normal operation. SOLUTION: When a power switch SW1 is put on, a control device 28 compares the time from the previous turn-off to turn-on at this time with the set time value. If the set time is exceeded, indication is given for need to make warmup operation, to be followed by confirming the turn-on of a cancel switch SW3, confirming turn-on of a start switch SW2, and confirming the closing of the door 4 of a disinfection chamber 1. A detailed self-diagnosis is made only at the first warmup operation for the day, i.e., once a day, which consists of a special control other than the stop of the drive and the opening and closing procedures for constituent elements such as opening/closing valves 13, 15, etc., of the disinfection device while it is in warmup operation and the normal operation, and the special control should be accompanied by a diagnosis. A simplified self-diagnosis is performed at each run of normal operation, which includes only diagnosis of stop of the drive and the closing procedure of the opening/closing valves 13 and 15 in the warmup operation and normal operation. Through these self-diagnoses, the safety is enhanced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sterilizer for sterilizing medical supplies and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional steam sterilizer, a steam jacket is provided around the outer periphery of a sterilization tank as a sterilization tank heating means for heating the sterilization tank. Then, when the power switch is turned on, the sterilization tank is preheated by sending steam into the steam jacket. Thereafter, the object to be sterilized is put into the sterilization tank, and when the start switch is turned on with the door closed, the pretreatment step and the sterilization step of supplying steam into the sterilization tank to sterilize the object to be sterilized are sequentially performed. . The pretreatment step is a step of raising the temperature of the sterilization tank and the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization tank to a predetermined temperature and removing air in the sterilization tank, and is performed before the sterilization step. In addition, the sterilization apparatus has an opening for carrying in and out the object to be sterilized, and a packing groove is formed in one of a peripheral portion thereof and a portion facing the opening of the door, and the sterilizing device can be freely retracted and retracted in the packing groove. The compressed packing against the other with pressurized air (pressing)
This seals around the opening.

[0003]

In such sterilizers, simple checks for abnormalities of the components of the device are individually performed, but in many cases, detailed checks of the components are not performed. Further, depending on the method of the simple check and the detailed check, there are cases where the end of the sterilization operation is delayed or the safety cannot be sufficiently ensured. An object of the present invention is to solve these problems.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first control switch for controlling the power supply to the apparatus, a second control switch for controlling a start of a normal operation for sterilizing an object to be sterilized, and
First self-diagnosis control means for performing a detailed diagnosis of the device components before the normal operation when the first control switch is turned on, and second self-diagnosis for performing a simple diagnosis of the device components each time the normal operation is performed The first feature is that control means is provided.

According to this feature, when the first control switch is operated, a detailed self-diagnosis of the components is performed before the normal operation, and a simple self-diagnosis is performed for each normal operation. This eliminates the useless time spent on self-diagnosis.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect, the first self-diagnosis control means may determine that the components of the sterilization apparatus are normal by a drive stop / open / close procedure different from the stop / open / close procedure during normal operation. Judge whether the second
The second feature is that the self-diagnosis control means performs a drive stop of the components of the sterilizer during the warm-up operation and the normal operation, a drive stop same as the opening / closing procedure, and a determination as to whether the components are normal by the opening / closing procedure. I do.

According to this feature, the first self-diagnosis requires a relatively long time, and the second self-diagnosis requires a relatively short time. The time required does not increase.

[0008] The present invention is characterized in that
A sterilization tank having an opening, and a door that opens and closes the opening,
An annular groove is formed around the opening of the sterilization tank or around the opening of the door, a packing is accommodated in this groove, and pressurized air is supplied to the groove, whereby the packing is formed. In a sterilization apparatus that seals the opening by pressing against the opening or the door around the opening of the sterilization tank, the first self-diagnosis includes the abnormality determination of the packing, and the second self-diagnosis detects the pressure in the groove. A third feature is that it includes an abnormality determination of the pressure detecting means.

According to this feature, the number of times of the abnormality judgment of the packing is extremely limited, and the abnormality judgment of the pressure detector is performed for each normal operation with almost no time. Without increasing
Safety is ensured.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention comprises a first control switch for controlling the power supply to the apparatus, a second control switch for controlling the start of a normal operation for sterilizing an object to be sterilized, and First self-diagnosis control means for performing a detailed diagnosis of the device components before the normal operation when the first control switch is turned on, and second self-diagnosis for performing a simple diagnosis of the device components each time the normal operation is performed Control means. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

[0011] The sterilization apparatus has an opening for carrying in and out the object to be sterilized on at least one surface of the sterilization tank, and has an openable and closable door for closing the opening. The sterilizer performs a normal operation of sterilizing an object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank.

Normal operation (may be referred to as normal sterilization operation)
Is an operation for sterilizing an object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank.
This normal operation preferably includes a pretreatment step, a subsequent sterilization step, and a post-treatment step, and these steps are controlled by a control means such as a microcomputer. When the pretreatment step is performed, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank heating means.
And preferably, by introducing steam in a pressurized state into the sterilization tank during the pretreatment step, from inside and outside the sterilization tank,
The sterilization tank and the object to be sterilized contained in the sterilization tank are heated to raise the temperature of the object to be sterilized to a predetermined temperature and to discharge the air in the sterilization tank. When the steam is introduced, the steam is discharged from the sterilization tank simultaneously with the introduction, or the introduction of the steam and the discharge of the steam from the sterilization tank are performed alternately.

[0013] In the sterilization step, steam is introduced into the sterilization tank at the time of execution in a steam sterilization apparatus, while sterilization gas is introduced in a gas sterilization apparatus. During this sterilization step, steam is also introduced into the sterilization tank heating means. After the sterilization process,
Usually, a post-processing step is performed. The post-treatment step usually includes a step of exhausting the inside of the sterilization tank and drying the object to be sterilized.

Before the normal operation, a warm-up operation is performed as required. This warm-up operation is performed by supplying high-temperature steam to the sterilization tank heating means for heating the sterilization tank (including the door) itself, and simultaneously introducing and discharging the high-temperature steam into the sterilization tank. The introduction and discharge of steam in this warm-up operation is necessary for cleaning the inside of the sterilization tank, but the method is to discharge steam from the sterilization tank simultaneously with the introduction of steam, as in the pretreatment step. Alternatively, the introduction of steam and the discharge of steam from the sterilization tank are alternately performed, but another method may be used. The preheating of the sterilization tank is performed by introducing high-temperature steam, but in order to perform the preheating effectively, high-temperature steam is introduced into the sterilization tank and is not discharged (the state where the inside of the sterilization tank is maintained at a predetermined high pressure). ) Is preferably maintained for a predetermined time.

[0015] The sterilization apparatus determines whether or not the components are normal according to a drive stop and an open / close procedure different from a drive stop / open / close procedure during normal operation or during normal operation and warm-up operation. (1) Self-diagnosis (detailed self-diagnosis) and second self-diagnosis (simple self-diagnosis) in which the components are judged to be normal by the drive stop / open / close procedure which is the same as the stop / open / close procedure of the components of the sterilizer during normal operation. Self-diagnosis). The first self-diagnosis is performed when the first control switch for controlling the power supply to the sterilizer is turned on. Preferably, the first self-diagnosis is performed before the execution of the warm-up operation. However, the first self-diagnosis is not performed each time the warm-up operation is performed, but the number of times of the day is limited to, for example, once during the first warm-up operation of the day. The warm-up operation is executed when the temperature of the sterilization tank is reduced, for example, when the first control switch is turned off for a long time and then turned on again, and when the temperature reduction of the sterilization tank is not determined, the warm-up operation is not performed. In this case, the operation is performed before the first normal operation of the day.

The reason why the first self-diagnosis is preferably performed during the warm-up operation is as follows. The warm-up operation is usually performed on the first day of the morning, which is the first sterilization operation. It is easy for the user to use the time required for the detailed self-diagnosis that takes a relatively long time during the first sterilization operation, and safety is ensured by performing the self-diagnosis at the beginning of the day. . Therefore, this self-diagnosis
Regardless of the number of warm-up operations, the number of times of execution per day is limited (for example, once).

The second self-diagnosis is performed every time the normal operation is performed. This self-diagnosis requires almost no extra time because the self-diagnosis is performed according to the same driving stop and opening and closing procedures as those of the sterilization apparatus during normal operation. Note that the detection by the detecting means such as the pressure and the abnormality determination based on the detection result are not included in the procedure for stopping and opening and closing the components.

A means of mechanical sealing is provided around the opening of the sterilizer or at a portion facing the opening of the door, that is, a packing groove is formed in one of the door and the opening, and the packing groove can be freely moved into and out of the packing groove. In a sterilization apparatus having a sealing means for pressing (pressing) the packing against the other with pressurized air, the first self-diagnosis and the second self-diagnosis include the following. The first self-diagnosis includes at least the abnormality determination or the deterioration determination of the packing. In addition, a detailed check of components, a check of airtight leaks in the sterilization tank, and / or a check of the steam supply line may be included. In addition, the second self-diagnosis includes at least abnormality determination of the pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the groove. In addition, a simple check of the components may be included.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a schematic plan shape and a configuration of a piping system of the embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the air system of the embodiment, and FIG.
4 is an enlarged view for explaining a main part in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 4 to 7 are flowcharts showing a control procedure of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a pattern of introduction and discharge of steam in the embodiment. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example.

In FIG. 1, the sterilization tank 1 is provided with an opening 1A for entrance and exit of an object to be sterilized provided with a door 4 on one of its peripheral surfaces. The inside of the sterilization tank 1 can be completely sealed by closing the door 4 and sealing it with sealing means around the opening 1A described later. This door 4
In the illustrated embodiment, the slide type is guided by guide and support members 5 provided on both sides of the sterilization tank 1 so as to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 to open and close the opening 1A. Make up.

On the outer peripheral wall of the sterilization tank 1, a tubular steam flow path 2 as a sterilization tank heating means is formed. This steam channel 2
In the illustrated embodiment, it is assumed that the pipe is bent to form a meandering flow path. One end of the steam flow path 2 is connected to a first steam supply pipe 6 extending from the steam generator 3, and the other end is connected to a third pipe 11 described below via a second drain pipe 7. . A first steam trap 8 and a first check valve (symbols are omitted) are connected to the second pipe 7 in the middle thereof.

The steam flow path 2 will be further described. The steam flow path 2 is provided on each surface of the peripheral wall of the sterilization tank 1 that is adjacent to the surface on which the door 4 is provided (that is, on the surface thereof).
4) and arranged in a contact state. It is desirable that the pipe constituting the steam flow path 2 be fixed by welding as shown in FIG. Further, the steam flow path 2 is provided for the four peripheral walls adjacent to the surface on which the door 4 is provided, but may also be provided on the surface of the peripheral wall on the side facing the surface on which the door 1 is provided.
Further, the steam flow path 2 need only be provided on at least one surface of the peripheral wall of the sterilization tank 1, and the steam flow path 2 does not necessarily need to be completely and uniformly arranged on each surface of the peripheral wall, as long as heating can be performed sufficiently. Good.

The sterilization tank 1 is further connected with a fourth pipe 10 extending from the steam generator 3 and communicating with the sterilization tank 1, and further with a third pipe 11 communicating with the sterilization tank 1. The care fifth pipe 12 is connected. The first piping 6 is connected to a first steam supply / on-off valve 13 and a first steam pressure control valve 14, and the fourth piping 10 is connected to a second steam supply / on-off valve 15 and a second steam pressure. The control valve 16 is connected. An air filter 17 is connected to one end of the fifth pipe 12, and a second check valve (symbol is omitted) and a third on-off valve 18 for air supply are connected in the middle of the fifth pipe 12. .

The third pipe 11 connected to the sterilization tank 1 is branched on the way into three systems: a sixth vacuum exhaust pipe 19, a seventh exhaust vacuum pipe 20, and an eighth drain pipe 21. The sixth pipe 19 has a fourth on-off valve 22, a third check valve (symbol omitted),
The condensing heat exchanger 30, the vacuum pump 23 and the fourth check valve (symbols are omitted), and the seventh pipe 20 is provided with the fifth exhaust on-off valve 2
The fourth and fifth check valves (symbols are omitted), and the sixth piping 21 has a sixth on-off valve 25, a second steam trap 26, and a sixth check valve (symbols omitted) inserted therein. The connection point between the second pipe 7 and the third pipe 11 connected to the downstream side of the steam flow path 2 is on the downstream (outlet) side of the eighth pipe 21. In addition, each check valve in FIG. 1 allows the flow in the direction indicated by the arrow and prevents the reverse flow.

Further, in the sterilization apparatus having the above configuration,
As in the prior art, the outside of the peripheral wall of the sterilization tank 1 is covered with a well-known heat insulating material 27.
This prevents heat dissipation, prevents thermal loss, and enhances heat retention.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a control device for controlling the warm-up operation and the normal operation of the sterilizing device, which will be described later in detail. SW1, S
W2 and SW3 are a power switch (first control switch), a start switch (second control switch), a cancel switch (third control switch) connected to the control device 28, and HS is a display output from the control device 28. It is a display that performs various displays according to control signals. Of course, instead of the display HS, an annunciator to which sound is added or to which only sound can be used can be used.

Next, a configuration related to an air seal around the opening 1A of the sterilization tank 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Sterilization tank 1
A ring-shaped packing groove 31 having a predetermined depth is formed around the opening 1A so as to surround the opening 1A, and a ring-shaped packing member 32 is also fitted into the packing groove 31 so as to be able to protrude and retract. A ninth pressurizing gas supply ninth is provided so as to communicate with a space of the packing groove 31 formed by a surface (an abutting side surface) of the packing member 32 that is opposite to a surface that comes into contact with the door 4 and an inner peripheral surface of the packing groove 31. The pipe 33 is connected.

A pressure device (compressor) 34 for pressurizing gas (air in this embodiment) is connected to the ninth pipe 33 at its upstream end. The ninth pipe 33 has a pressurized gas tank 35, a pressurized air seventh on-off valve 36, and a seventh check valve from the upstream side so as to be located between the pressurizing device 34 and the packing groove 31. The valve 37 is connected.

Further, the ninth pipe 33 has a packing groove 31.
The upstream end of a tenth pipe 38 for exhausting the gas in the packing groove 31 is connected between the first check valve 37 and the seventh check valve 37. The tenth pipe 38 includes an eighth on-off valve 39 and an eighth check valve 40 on the way,
They are connected in this order, and the downstream end is connected to the vacuum pump 23. The vacuum pump 23 is used for evacuating the inside of the sterilization tank 1 and discharging air in the packing groove as described later.
The inside of the sterilization tank 1 is connected by the above-mentioned sixth pipe 19 of another system. The sixth pipe 19 has a fourth on-off valve 2
2 is connected, and the opening and closing of the fourth on-off valve 22 and the eighth on-off valve 39 is switched to switch between suction in the packing groove 31 and suction in the sterilization tank 1.

A first pressure detector 44 is connected to the packing groove 31, and a second pressure detector 45 is connected to the pressurized gas tank 35. Since the first pressure detector 44 monitors the pressure in the packing groove 31, it may be connected to either the packing groove 31 or a pipe communicating therewith. In this embodiment, the packing groove 31 is used.
Connected directly to. The first pressure detector 44 holds the pressure in the packing groove 31 within a predetermined range by opening and closing the seventh on-off valve 36, and the second pressure detector 45
Is provided to maintain the pressure in the tank 35 within a predetermined range by controlling ON and OFF.

Here, the first and second pressure detectors 44,
Reference numeral 45 uses a pressure switch in this embodiment. The pressure switch switches to an ON state when the pressure increases and reaches a first set value, and switches to an OFF state when the pressure decreases and reaches a second set value lower than the set value. It is needless to say that the first and second pressure detectors 44 and 45 can be configured so that the control device 28 determines whether or not the pressure is a set value using a pressure sensor instead of a pressure switch. In this embodiment, the first set value of the first pressure detector 44 is the supply pressure of the pressurized air capable of securely pressing the packing member 32 against the lid 4 in order to keep the sterilization tank airtight, or slightly higher. Use high pressure.

Reference numeral 46 denotes a third pressure detector for detecting the pressure in the sterilization tank 1, which is not a pressure switch but a pressure sensor in this embodiment. This third pressure detector 46
Monitors the pressure in the sterilization tank 1 and the first on-off valve 1
This is for detecting the pressure for the control of No. 3. 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a temperature detector for monitoring the temperature in the upper portion of the sterilization tank 1. These pressurizing device 34, seventh on-off valve 36, eighth on-off valve 39, vacuum pump 23, first pressure detector 44, second pressure detector 45, third pressure detector 46, and temperature detector 47.
Are connected to the control device 28. This control device 28
Includes a storage device storing processing procedures as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 and an arithmetic processing unit for executing the processing procedures, and includes detection signals from the first pressure detector 44, the second pressure detector 45, and the like. And outputs control signals for the pressurizing device 34, the seventh on-off valve 36, the eighth on-off valve 39, the vacuum pump 23, etc., and also outputs various display signals such as alarm signals to the display HS.

The operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. In the following description, it is assumed that each on-off valve is basically closed unless its operation is specified.

In step S1 (hereinafter, SN means step SN) in FIG. 4, the power switch SW1 is turned on.
Is determined. In the case of NO, it stays at S1. YE
In the case of S, the process shifts to S2, and it is determined whether or not the time from when the power switch SW1 is turned off last time to when it is turned on this time is equal to or longer than a predetermined set time T0 (for example, 3 hours).

In the case of YES, the flow shifts to S4, a display indicating that the warm-up (preheating) operation is necessary, for example, a display of "warm-up operation required" is made on the display HS, and the flow shifts to S5. S
At 5, it is determined whether or not the cancel SW3 is operated (ON). If the cancel switch SW3 is not ON, the process proceeds to S6 and the start switch SW2 is ON.
Is determined. The cancel switch SW3 is a switch that is turned ON when the operator skips the warm-up operation and shifts to the normal operation. Now, cancel switch SW
Assuming that the start switch SW2 is turned on without turning on the switch 3, YES is determined in S6, and the process proceeds to S7. S
At 7, a detailed self-diagnosis of the sterilizer as shown in FIG. 5 is performed. In addition, since the self-diagnosis requires that the door 4 of the sterilization tank 1 be closed, it is also confirmed in S6 that the door 4 of the sterilization tank 1 is closed. The start switch SW2 is turned on in S6.
The operation means instructing execution of the warm-up operation.

The self-diagnosis performed by the sterilizer of this embodiment includes a detailed self-diagnosis and a simple self-diagnosis. The detailed self-diagnosis is a self-diagnosis performed by adding a special control in addition to a drive stop / open / close procedure performed on components such as an open / close valve of a sterilizer in a warm-up operation and a normal operation. The detailed self-diagnosis is performed once a day. For example, even if the warm-up operation is performed twice, the detailed self-diagnosis is performed only during the first warm-up operation in one day. An example of the detailed self-diagnosis procedure is as shown in FIGS. In addition, the simple self-diagnosis is a self-diagnosis that can be performed without adding any special control other than the driving stop and opening / closing procedures performed on components such as the opening / closing valve of the sterilizer in the warm-up operation and the normal operation. An example of this procedure is as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, the detailed self-diagnosis is to sequentially perform a steam supply line check S20, a packing line detailed check S30, and a tank airtight leak check S40. still,
In the packing line check process shown in FIG.
The process of S30 is performed, and the process of S40 is performed in the leak check process.

The steam supply line check S20 is the second on-off valve 1
5 including the abnormality check, etc., are performed as follows. (1) First, the power switch SW1 is turned on, and the second on-off valve 15 and the upstream steam valve (not shown) on the upstream side are closed, and the upstream steam temperature sensor provided upstream of the second on-off valve 15 is closed. It is determined whether or not the temperature (not shown) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, 118 ° C.). If NO, it is determined that the source steam is abnormal, and is displayed on the display HS. (2) If the determination in (1) is YES, the second on-off valve 15 and the source steam valve are opened, and the pressure detected in the sterilization tank 1 by the third pressure detector 46 rises to a predetermined value within a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not to do. (3) If this determination is NO, it is determined whether the temperature of the source steam temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. If YES, an indication of an abnormality of the second on-off valve 15 is displayed.
Display of source steam abnormality. (4) If the determination of the detected pressure rise in (2) is YES, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the source steam temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the predetermined value.
In the case of O, it is determined that the original steam temperature sensor is defective and displayed.

Next, packing line detailed check S30
Are to determine whether the pressure detectors 44 and 45 are defective, to fix the open / close valves 36 and 39, to deteriorate the packing 32,
The determination of dirt 2 is performed. The determination of the deterioration and contamination of the packing 32 is performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG. This will be described below.

The pressurizing device 34 is stopped to set it in an initial state (S51), and the seventh opening / closing valve 36 and the eighth opening / closing valve 39 are opened (S52).
5 is communicated with the atmosphere via a tenth pipe 38, and the pressure in the pressurized air tank 35 is made equal to the atmosphere. At this time, when the vacuum pump 23 is stopped, the intake port and the exhaust port are in communication with the atmosphere. Next, by closing the seventh on-off valve 36 and activating the pressurizing device 34 (S53), it is detected whether or not the pressure detection signal of the second pressure detector 45 has changed (S54).

Then, the seventh on-off valve 36 is opened and the eighth on-off valve 39 is closed for a short time (S55).
A change is detected in the pressure detection signal of No. 4 (S56). In this embodiment, an ON signal is output when the pressure in each of the pressure detectors 44 and 45 rises above the first set value, and an OFF signal is output when the pressure is less than the first set value. Next, S
In the judgment A of 57, the first and second pressure detectors 44, 45
Is changed, the pressurizing device 34, the seventh on-off valve 36, the first and second pressure detectors 44 and 45 are determined to be normal, and the abnormality of the packing member 32 is detected in step S60.
Move to

In the determination A of S57, if all the output signals of the first and second pressure detectors 44 and 45 do not change, it is determined that the pressurizing device 34 is defective or the seventh on-off valve 36 is defective. Then, an alarm signal is output and displayed on the display HS, and a standby state is entered (S58). Also, any one of the pressure detectors 44, 4
When the output signal of No. 5 has changed, it is determined that the pressure detector does not change, and an alarm signal is output to enter a standby state (step S58). However, only the output signal of the first pressure detector 44 changes. If so, it is determined that the second pressure detector 45 is defective, and after completion of all operations of the sterilizer, the alarm signal is stored so as to output an alarm signal (S59), and the process proceeds to S60. The above processing procedure is for judging whether or not other devices are normal before detecting the abnormality of the packing member 32.

After confirming that other devices such as the pressurizing device 34, the seventh on-off valve 36, the first pressure detector 44, and the second pressure detector 45 are normal by the above-described processing, the pressurizing device 3
4 is operated to close the seventh on-off valve 36 (S60). In this state, the eighth opening / closing valve 39 is closed in S55, so that the packing groove 31 is shut off from the air pressurizing source and the exhaust port (in the atmosphere).

Thereafter, the first pressure detector 44
The change in the pressure in the packing groove 31 is monitored, and the time until the pressure reaches the second set value from the first set value is measured (S61). In the next judgment B of S62, the packing groove 3
If the pressure in 1 falls to the second set value within the preset time, it is determined that the packing member 32 is abnormal. Otherwise, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the packing member 32. Move to When the abnormality of the packing member 32 is detected, an alarm signal to that effect is output to the display device HS (S63).

Here, the required time as a reference for the judgment B in S62 is set to two values T01 and T02 (0 <T01 <T02), and the required time required to change to the second set value is shorter. If the required time T01 is shorter than the required time T01, it is determined that the packing member 32 is severely degraded, and a warning such as "replacement of the packing" is output, and if the longer required time T02 is shorter than the shorter required time T01. Is determined to be due to contamination of the packing member 32, and a warning such as "cleaning" is output. If the required time is equal to or longer than T02, it is determined that the packing member 32 is normal.

In the next S64, the seventh on-off valve 36 is opened, and the tank 35 and the packing groove 31 are passed through the ninth pipe 33.
And communicate. As a result, the packing member 32 is pushed out by the pressurized air and pressed against the door 4, and the sterilization tank 1 and the lid 4 are pressed.
And hermetic sealing is performed.

Here, for comparison with the detailed self-diagnosis,
FIG. 7 shows a simple self-diagnosis performed for each normal operation in S10.
It will be described according to the following. As an example of this simple self-diagnosis, every time the seventh on-off valve 36 is opened and pressurized air is supplied to the packing groove 31, the eighth on-off valve 39 is opened and the seventh on-off valve 36 is closed to open the packing groove 31. Every time the pressurized air is discharged, abnormality of the pressure detector 44 and the pressurizing device 34 is checked.

In this simple self-diagnosis, processing procedures for pressure detection and abnormality determination are added, but the operations of opening and closing the on-off valve, and driving and stopping the vacuum pump and the pressurizing device are changed for the self-diagnosis. It has not been added and takes little time for self-diagnosis. That is, at S71, the on-off valve 36
And pressurized air is supplied from the tank 35 to the packing groove 31.

Next, in S72, it is determined whether or not the first pressure detector 44 has changed from OFF to ON. If NO, the process proceeds to S73, where the second pressure detector 45 determines whether it is ON or OFF. If it is ON, a failure of the first pressure detector 44 is displayed in S75. If it is OFF, an abnormality of the pressurizing device 34 is displayed in S74. If YES is determined in S72, the pressure detector 44 and the pressurizing device 34 are determined to be normal. Next, in S81, the seventh on-off valve 36 is closed, the eighth on-off valve 39 is opened, and the vacuum pump 23 is turned on. Next, S82
It is determined whether the first pressure detector 44 has changed from ON to OFF. In the case of NO, the flow shifts to S83 to notify the abnormality of the first pressure detector 44.
The pressure detector 44 determines that it is normal.

Next, an airtight leak check S3 in the tank shown in FIG.
0 indicates the leak check of the sterilization tank 1 and the third pressure detector 47
Including checks.

Specifically, the leak check of the sterilization tank 1 is performed as follows. That is, it is determined whether or not the sterilization tank 1 is kept airtight, including the state of tight contact between the packing member 32 and the door 4. With the door 4 closed, the eighth on-off valve 39 closed, and the fourth on-off valve 22 opened, the vacuum pump 23 is operated for a certain period of time to detect whether the inside of the sterilization tank 1 reaches a predetermined negative pressure state. Next, the fourth on-off valve 22 is closed, the vacuum pump 23 is stopped, and the change in pressure in the sterilization tank 1 is detected by the third pressure detector 47. That is, when the inside of the sterilization tank 1 reaches a predetermined negative pressure state within a certain time, the fourth
If the on-off valve 22 is closed and the pressure does not change after the vacuum pump 23 stops, it is determined that the pressure is normal. If there is a change in this pressure, it means that the sterilization tank 1 is leaking, and there is an abnormality in the close contact state between the packing member 32 and the door 4, or the fourth on-off valve 22 and other on-off valves It is determined that a problem has occurred. On the other hand, when the inside of the sealed container 1 does not reach the predetermined negative pressure state within a certain time, the fourth on-off valve 22 is closed, and if the pressure change after stopping the vacuum pump 23 is less than a predetermined value, the vacuum pump If the pressure change is equal to or more than the predetermined value, it is determined whether the packing member 32 and the door 4 are in close contact with each other as described above, or the fourth on-off valve 22 and the other valves are abnormal. It is determined that a problem has occurred.

The check of the third pressure detector 47 is performed as follows. At the time of leak check in the sterilization tank 1, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation of the detected pressure is equal to or more than a predetermined value (for example, 0.2 kg / cm ² ).

In FIG. 4, when the self-diagnosis is completed, S8
Then, the warm-up operation is performed. This warm-up operation is performed as follows. The steam from the steam generator 3 is supplied into the steam channel 2 via the first pipe 6 and is supplied into the sterilization tank 1 via the fourth pipe 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the steam supply into the sterilization tank 1 is performed by the second on-off valve 15.
Is opened, steam is introduced into the sterilization tank 1, and a predetermined pressure (approximately 2
After supplying steam up to 3 atm), the fifth on-off valve 24 is opened and the steam is discharged out of the sterilization tank 1. The sterilization tank 1 is preheated and the inside of the tank 1 is cleaned by such positive pressure pulse-like steam pressure control. Next, the fifth on-off valve 24 is closed, the second on-off valve 15 is opened, and steam is again introduced into the sterilization tank 1 to a predetermined pressure, and this predetermined pressure is maintained for a certain time. This holding of the predetermined pressure is achieved by ON / OFF control of the second on-off valve 15. Thereby, the preheating of the sterilization tank 1 becomes more effective.
The warm-up operation is performed at a rate of about 20 minutes to one hour of the normal operation. Further, the introduction and discharge of steam into the sterilization tank 1 can take various methods.

By supplying steam to the sterilization tank 1 and the steam flow path 2 in this manner, the sterilization tank 1 is heated from the inside and outside of the peripheral wall, and the door 4 is heated from the inside. Then, in a state where the temperatures of the sterilization tank 1 and the door 4 are raised, the second opening / closing 15 is closed, and after the steam supply to the sterilization tank 1 is stopped, the vacuum pump 23 is activated and the fourth opening / closing valve 2 is opened.
Open 2. Thereby, the steam in the sterilization tank 1 is discharged from the discharge line 11, the third on-off valve 18 is opened, and the fifth pipe 12 is opened.
Air is introduced into the sterilization tank 1 through the air filter 17. As a result, the steam in the sterilization tank 1 and the vacuum drying in the tank 1 are performed. At this time, the sterilization tank 1 is kept at the above-mentioned set temperature by keeping the first on-off valve 13 as it is and continuing to introduce steam into the steam flow path 2.

By performing the warm-up operation, the following operation and effect can be obtained. The preheating of the sterilization tank 1 and the cleaning of the sterilization tank 1 are performed simultaneously, and as a result, the normal operation can be completed quickly. To explain the cleaning of the inside of the sterilization tank, contamination in the sterilization tank 1 caused when the power switch SW1 is turned off for a long time and the sterilization apparatus is not used is described.
It is removed by introducing steam into the inside and discharging steam from the sterilization tank 1, so that the inside of the tank can be kept clean.

When the warm-up operation is completed, the flow shifts to S9. In addition, before S9, the operator opens the door 4, carries the object to be sterilized into the sterilization tank 1, and closes the door 4 again. In S8, under the condition that the door 4 is closed, the start switch SW
It is determined whether 2 is ON. If the determination is NO, the process remains at S9. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to S10, and the normal operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the normal operation is performed in the order of a pretreatment step, a sterilization step, and a post-treatment step. First, in the pretreatment step, the second on-off valve 15 is opened to introduce steam from the fourth pipe 10 into the sterilization tank 1. In this state, since the steam is introduced into the steam flow path 2, the object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 1 is preheated by the radiant heat from the inner wall of the sterilization tank 1. At the initial stage during this pre-processing step, the fifth on-off valve 24 may be opened for a certain period of time, as shown in FIG. That is, by introducing steam into the sterilization tank 1 and discharging the steam as it is (a so-called purging operation), the air having a high specific gravity is pushed downward from above by the steam having a low specific gravity.
And is discharged through the exhaust line 20.

In order to effectively use the specific gravity difference between the air and the steam, it is preferable that the steam is introduced from above the sterilization tank 1 and discharged from below the sterilization tank. Furthermore, at the time of introducing steam, the air can be uniformly pushed out by reducing the required time by uniformly dispersing and supplying the steam to the entire sterilization tank 1 using a diffusion means such as a diffuser.

After performing the above purging operation for a certain period of time,
When the fifth on-off valve 24 is closed, the pressure in the sterilization tank 1 rises over time due to the introduced steam as shown in FIG. The supply of the steam is continued until the inside of the sterilization tank 1 reaches a predetermined pressure (about 2 to 3 atm). When the pressure reaches this pressure, the second on-off valve 15 is closed, and the fifth on-off valve 24 is closed. And release steam. During this discharge,
The air remaining in the sterilization tank 1 is removed again by being pushed out by the steam. Then, when the steam in the sterilization tank 1 is substantially discharged and the pressure in the sterilization tank 1 becomes substantially atmospheric pressure, the fifth on-off valve 24 is closed, and the introduction and discharge of the steam are performed in the same procedure as described above. Do. By repeatedly introducing and discharging the steam, the air taken into the sterilization tank 1 and further into the object to be sterilized is eliminated. By alternately repeating the exhaust of the steam and the introduction of the steam several times, the air contained in the object to be sterilized is sufficiently exhausted, and uneven heating of the steam in the subsequent sterilization process is reduced.

As described above, the introduction and discharge of steam are performed in the second
Since it can be performed only by opening and closing the on-off valve 15 and the fifth on-off valve 24, a vacuum suction means for discharging air as in the related art is not necessarily required. still,
When the vacuum pump 23 is used, the fourth opening / closing valve 22 is opened and the vacuum pump 23 is operated before the inside of the sterilization tank 1 reaches the atmospheric pressure when the sterilization tank 1 is evacuated. This discharge time can be reduced.

In the next sterilization step, the fifth on-off valve 24
Is closed and the second on-off valve 15 is opened, so that the fourth pipe 1
0, the sterilization tank 1 is filled with high-temperature and high-pressure steam. Thereafter, when the inside of the sterilization tank 1 reaches the set sterilization temperature (pressure), the sterilization process is started.

After a predetermined sterilization time, the second on-off valve 15 is closed to stop the supply of steam into the sterilization tank 1, the exhaust valve 24 is opened, and the steam in the sterilization tank 1 is discharged from the seventh pipe 20. And
After reducing the pressure in the sterilization tank 1 to near the atmospheric pressure, the process enters a post-processing step for drying the material to be sterilized.

In the post-processing step, by opening the fourth on-off valve 22 and driving the vacuum pump 23, the fifth pipe 1
The pressure inside the sterilization tank 1 is reduced through 9 to remove moisture from the material to be sterilized (vacuum drying). Next, the third on-off valve 18 is opened, and clean air is introduced into the sterilization tank 1 through the air filter 17.

After the completion of the post-processing step, the third on-off valve 18 is opened to allow the sterilization tank 1 to communicate with the outside via the air filter 17 so that the pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, the steam supply to the steam flow path 2 is continuously performed to keep the sterilization tank 1 at a predetermined temperature, so that the preheating time of the sterilization tank can be omitted in the sterilization operation again. Thereafter, the door of the sterilization tank 1 is opened to take out the object to be sterilized, and the normal operation ends.

If it is determined in S5 of FIG. 4 that the cancel switch SW3 is ON, the flow shifts to S11 to determine whether or not the start switch SW2 is ON. When it is determined that the start switch SW3 is ON, the process proceeds to S12 and proceeds to S12.
After performing the same self-diagnosis as in step 7, the routine shifts to the normal operation in S10 described above without performing the warm-up operation, and this is performed. By omitting the warm-up operation, the completion of the normal operation can be expedited, and this is effective when urgent sterilization work is required.

In S3, if the time from OFF to ON of the power switch SW1 is within the set time, the process shifts to S3 and shifts to the heating tube steaming process. Here, steam is supplied (supplies steam) from the steam generator 3 to the steam flow path 2 through the first pipe 6 to heat the tank wall of the sterilization tank 1. Next, the process proceeds to S10 via S9, and normal operation is performed.

In the above description, the introduction of steam into the sterilization tank 1 is terminated when a predetermined pressure is reached, and then the operation is shifted to the exhaust. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. May be supplied so as to maintain the pressure for a certain time after the pressure is introduced to a predetermined pressure. In FIG. 4, the heating tube feeding step S3 may be omitted, and instead, a heating tube feeding step may be provided between S1 and S2, and the heating tube feeding process is performed between S5 and S11. It may be provided between them.

[0068]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the time required for the self-diagnosis is not increased without unduly increasing the time required for the self-diagnosis while ensuring the safety. Can be.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of times of the deterioration judgment of the packing is extremely limited, and the abnormality judgment of the pressure detector is performed at every normal operation with almost no time. There is a great effect that safety can be ensured without unnecessarily increasing the time required for diagnosis.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a schematic plan shape and a piping system of an embodiment of a sterilization apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an air system of an embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view for explaining a main part in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure in the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a main part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a main part of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining an example of a pattern of introduction and discharge of steam in the sterilizer according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilization tank 1A Opening 2 Steam flow path 3 Steam generator 4 Door 28 Controller 31 Packing groove 32 Packing member

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Matsunaga 7-Horiecho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first control switch for controlling the power supply to the apparatus, a second control switch for controlling the start of a normal operation for sterilizing an object to be sterilized, and the first control switch ON.
A first self-diagnosis control unit for performing a detailed diagnosis of the device components before the normal operation during operation; and a second self-diagnosis control unit for performing a simple diagnosis of the device components each time the normal operation is performed. Sterilizer. 2. The first self-diagnosis control means determines whether or not the components of the sterilization apparatus are normal according to a drive stop and an open / close procedure different from a drive / open / close procedure of the sterilizer during normal operation. 2. The self-diagnosis control means determines whether or not the components are normal according to a drive stop and an open / close procedure which are the same as the drive stop / open / close procedure of the components of the sterilizer during normal operation. Sterilizer. 3. A sterilizing tank having an opening, a door for opening and closing the opening, and an annular groove formed around the opening of the sterilizing tank or around the opening of the door. In a sterilization apparatus for storing a packing therein and supplying pressurized air to the groove, the packing is pressed against a periphery of the opening of the sterilization tank or a door to seal the opening,
The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-diagnosis includes an abnormality determination of the packing, and the second self-diagnosis includes an abnormality determination of a pressure detection unit that detects a pressure in the groove.