JPS6321491B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning device that can selectively supply cleaning water and chemical solutions to a cleaning tank.

Generally, endoscope cleaning devices are known that are capable of not only simply cleaning the endoscope with cleaning water, but also disinfecting it with a chemical solution after cleaning. In the case of disinfection using chemical solutions, there are two methods: spraying the chemical solution into a cleaning tank and storing the chemical solution in the cleaning tank and soaking it for a predetermined period of time. The idea is to use that method. In such a cleaning device, it is necessary to be able to selectively supply cleaning water and a chemical solution to a cleaning tank in which an endoscope is accommodated. Therefore, the cleaning tank is connected via piping to a water supply tank containing cleaning water and a chemical solution tank containing a chemical solution via a fluid control device such as a pump or a switching valve.

Furthermore, since the chemical liquid is used repeatedly, it must be possible to collect it from the cleaning tank into the chemical liquid tank.

In this way, when an endoscope housed in a cleaning tank is cleaned with cleaning water and then disinfected with a chemical solution, the liquid in the cleaning tank must be controlled as follows.
That is, when cleaning is performed by supplying cleaning water, the cleaning water must be discharged, and when immersion disinfection is performed after cleaning, the chemical solution must not be discharged. Furthermore, once disinfection is complete, the chemical solution must be collected into the chemical tank.

Therefore, in order to control the cleaning water and the chemical solution as described above, it is conceivable to connect a 3-position switching device to the bottom of the cleaning tank and to control switching based on the time set in the cleaning device. However, if the switching device is simply activated by a signal from the cleaning device, cleaning water or chemical solution will be supplied to the cleaning tank without any detection even if the switching device is not reliably switching. This will result in Therefore, accidents may occur, such as the cleaning water overflowing from the cleaning tank, the cleaning water getting mixed into the chemical solution, or the chemical solution being discharged without being collected in the chemical tank.

This invention was made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to detect whether or not the switching operation of the switching device is reliably performed, and to control the switching operation of the switching device using this detection signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope cleaning device in which the switching device can be switched reliably.

An embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14.
This will be explained with reference to the figures. 1 in Fig. 1 is the main body of an endoscope cleaning device;
A cleaning tank 2 (shown in FIG. 4) whose top surface is open is provided inside. The opening of the cleaning tank 2 is closed by a cover 3 that can be opened and closed. By installing an endoscope (not shown) inside the cleaning tank 2, the endoscope can be automatically cleaned and disinfected using cleaning water or a chemical solution as described later.

An endoscope fixing site 4 consisting of a recess is provided at the left end of the front end of the top surface of the device body 1, and this fixing site 4 is used to clean and disinfect an endoscope whose insertion section can only be cleaned. When doing so, the operating section is installed. In addition, near the fixed part 4, there are a plurality of supply ports 5 connected to the operation part installed in the fixed part 4 by a tube (not shown) for supplying cleaning water and chemical solutions to the channels of the endoscope. ...is provided.

Furthermore, in endoscopes that can be completely cleaned,
Since the operating section is also installed inside the cleaning tank 2, the supply ports 5 used at that time are provided inside the cleaning tank 2.

In addition, a main panel section 6 constituting an operation panel is provided at the right end portion of the front end of the top surface of the device main body 1.
A sub-panel section 8 is installed below the main panel section 6 at the upper front of the main body 1 of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the main panel section 6 is provided with switches and displays that are used relatively frequently. As switches, a detergent switch 10, a disinfection switch 11, an overnight switch 12, a stop switch 13, a start switch 14, and a leakage test switch 15 are provided. Additionally, display lamps 16, 17, 1 are provided near the top of each switch 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 except for the stop switch 13 to indicate when each switch is operated.
8, 19, and 20 are provided. The main panel section 6 is also provided with display sections 21a and 21b that display the water washing process and air blowing process during cleaning, and display sections 21c and 21d that display the water washing process and air blowing process during disinfection. Display lamps 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are provided above each display section 21a to 21d. Note that the display lamp 24 is for displaying the disinfection process. Furthermore, the main panel section 6 is provided with a time display 27 consisting of a 4-digit LED that displays the remaining time of the process operation, and the upper right side displays the information when an abnormal situation occurs during the process operation. An abnormality lamp 28 is provided.
All of the switches mentioned above are touch-type switches that can be operated simply by touching them, and are seat switches whose outer surfaces do not protrude from the surface of the main panel section 6. Further, the display devices are also provided so as not to protrude from the surface of the main panel section 6. In other words, the surface of the main panel section 6 has a flat shape as a whole.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the sub-panel section 8 has switches such as a push-button power switch 31, a flush time setting timer 32 consisting of a click-type dial switch, and a disinfection time setting timer 3.
3. A manual flushing switch 34 consisting of a two-action switch, an air switch 35, and a discharge switch 36 for discharging the chemical solution in the cleaning tank 2 are provided. The two-action switch is turned on by the first operation and turned off by the second operation. In this way, since the sub-panel section 8 is mainly installed with items that are used less frequently, even if the sub-panel section 8 is located in a deep part of the front part of the main body 1 of the device, it will not cause any trouble in use. do not have.

Next, the internal structure of the device main body 1 will be explained based on FIG. 4. There is a water tank 4 inside the device body 1.
0, a detergent tank 41 and a chemical tank 42 are provided. The upper part of the water supply tank 40 is connected to a tap water faucet 45, which is a water supply source, via a filter 43 and a first switching valve 44. Furthermore, a first water level detection device 46 is provided within the water supply tank 40 . This first water level detection device 46 is
It has first to third contact sections 47a, 47b, and 47c for detecting water levels at different heights, and various devices are controlled as described later by the on/off states of these contact sections 47a, 47b, and 47c. ing. Additionally, a communication pipe 4 is provided at the top of the water supply tank 40.
8 connects one end. The other end of this communication pipe 48 communicates with the cleaning tank 2, and the water supply tank 40
When too much cleaning water is supplied to the air vent and water supply tank 40, it is released to the cleaning tank 2. Furthermore, a supply pipe 49 is connected to the bottom of the water supply tank 40. This water supply pipe 49 is connected to a first liquid pump 51 via a second switching valve 50.
is connected to. In addition, the middle part of the water supply pipe 49 is
It is connected to the detergent tank 41 via a third switching valve 52 and an orifice 53, and further connected to a rotary nozzle 55 provided in the cleaning tank 2 via a second liquid pump 54 and a filter 55.
This rotating nozzle 55 is adapted to be rotationally driven by a first motor 56.

Furthermore, a second water level detection device 57 is provided within the chemical liquid tank 42 . This second water level detection device 57 has first to third contact portions 58a, 58b, and 58c that detect water levels of different heights of the chemical liquid stored in the chemical liquid tank 42, and these contact portions 5
Various devices are controlled as described later by the on/off states of 8a, 58b, and 58c. The bottom of the chemical solution tank 42 is connected to a fourth switching valve 5.
It communicates with the first liquid pump 51 via 9. Further, on the upper part of the chemical liquid tank 42, there is a 3-position fifth switching valve 6 as a switching device whose switching is controlled by a second motor 60 as described later.
1 is connected. That is, the fifth switching valve 6
1 is formed with two outflow ports and one inflow port, as will be described later, and the chemical solution tank 42 is connected to one of the outflow ports. A drain pump 62 is connected to the other outflow port, and the inflow port is connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The fifth switching valve 61 operates in a first state in which the chemical tank 42 of the cleaning tank 2 communicates with each other, in a second state in which the outflow of liquid from the cleaning tank 2 is blocked, and in a second state in which the cleaning tank 2 and the drain pump 62 communicate with each other. It is designed to switch to a third state in which it communicates.

Further, a sixth switching valve 63 is connected to the discharge side of the first liquid pump 51. This sixth switching valve 63 has two outlet ports, one of which communicates with the cleaning tank 2 and the other of which is connected to the mixing header 65 via the first check valve 64 . The mixing header 65 is connected to the discharge side of the second liquid pump 54 via a second check valve 66 and to a first air pump 68 via a third check valve 67. has been done. A seventh switching valve 69 is connected between the first air pump 68 and the third check valve 67, and only when the seventh switching valve 69 is operated to the closed state. Compressed air is supplied to the mixing header 65. Further, the mixing header 65 is provided with a supply port 5 similar to the supply port 5 provided outside the device main body 1, and the supply port 5 is used when cleaning the endoscope, which is entirely washable. An endoscope channel 70 is adapted to be connected.

Further, a third water level detection device 71 is provided within the cleaning tank 2. This third water level detection device 71 has a first contact part 72a and a second contact part 72b that detect water levels at different heights, and various devices will be described later depending on the on/off state of these contact parts 72a and 72b. It's becoming more and more controlled.

Furthermore, a second air pump 73 is provided within the device main body 1. Compressed air from the second air pump 73 is supplied to the inside of the endoscope via a relief valve 74 from a connection port (not shown) provided in a connector 75 of a universal cord of the endoscope. Therefore, the entire endoscope is placed in cleaning tank 2.
By supplying compressed air while the endoscope is immersed in cleaning water, it is possible to detect if there is a hole in the outer skin of the endoscope by detecting the air leaking from the hole. Additionally, if compressed air is supplied when cleaning or disinfecting the endoscope, even if there is a hole in the outer skin of the endoscope, cleaning water or chemicals can be prevented from seeping into the endoscope. can.

On the other hand, the first to third contact portions 47a, 47b, and 47c of the first water level detection device 46 are connected to a CPU 76 as a control portion, as shown in FIG. If the first contact portion 47a is on before starting the cleaning device, it means that the water supply tank 40 is sufficiently supplied with cleaning water. The switching valve 44 is closed. When the cleaning device is started and the cleaning process begins, the water level in the water tank 40 decreases. Then, when the second contact portion 47b is turned off, the first switching valve 44 is opened by the CPU 76 in response to the signal, and cleaning water is supplied to the water supply tank 40. That is, the water level of the water supply tank 40 is between the first contact portion 47a and the second contact portion 47b.
controlled between. Further, when the second contact portion 47b is off before starting the cleaning device, it means that the cleaning water necessary for the cleaning process is not stored in the water supply tank 40 in advance.
The cleaning device cannot be started by a signal from the CPU 76. Furthermore, when the third contact portion 47c is turned off during the cleaning process etc., it indicates that the water supply tank 40 has run out of cleaning water.
A signal is output from the CPU 76 to drive the first liquid pump 51, second liquid pump 54, and first motor 5.
6. The drain pump 62 and the first air pump 68 are stopped, and the second motor 60 causes the fifth switching valve 61 to shut off the cleaning tank 2.
The second switching valve 50, the third switching valve 52, and the fourth switching valve 59 are switched to the closed state. That is, the cleaning device is stopped. Further, at this time, the abnormality lamp 28 provided on the main panel section 6 lights up, and a buzzer (not shown) sounds to indicate this.

Further, the first to third contact portions 58a, 58b, and 58c of the second water level detection device 57 are connected to the CPU 76, which is a control portion, as shown in FIG. This first contact portion 58a detects an abnormal rise in the water level in the chemical tank 42 (due to inflow of cleaning water, etc.), and this first contact portion 58a is turned on before operating the cleaning device. In some cases, a signal from the CPU 76 cannot be used to start the disinfection process. Also, when turned on during chemical liquid collection in the middle of the cleaning process, the first liquid pump 51, the second liquid pump 54,
The first motor 56, the drain pump 62, and the first air pump 68 are stopped, and the second motor 60 causes the fifth switching valve 61 to shut off the cleaning tank 2, and the second The switching valve 52 and the fourth switching valve 59 are switched to the closed state. That is, the cleaning device is stopped. Further, at this time, the abnormality lamp 28 provided on the main panel section 6 lights up, and a buzzer (not shown) sounds to indicate this. Further, the second contact portion 58b is connected to the chemical liquid tank 4.
It is normal when it is turned on before transferring the chemical solution No. 2 to cleaning tank 2 and starting the immersion sterilization process, but when it is turned on after the immersion sterilization process has started, except during the recovery process of the chemical solution. This is because the chemical liquid leaks from the cleaning tank 2 into the chemical liquid tank 42 and the water level rises. Therefore, various devices are controlled in the same way as when the first contact part 58a is turned on midway, and the cleaning device is stopped. The error lamp 28 lights up and the buzzer sounds. However, at this time, the drain pump 62 is stopped, and the fifth switching valve 61 is placed in a state where the cleaning tank 2 and the chemical solution tank 42 are communicated with each other, that is, a state in which the disinfection process is interrupted and the chemical solution is recovered. Furthermore, if the second contact portion 58b is off from the beginning, it means that there is not enough chemical solution in the chemical solution tank 42 to sterilize the endoscope by immersing it.
The disinfection process cannot be started by a signal from the CPU 76. Furthermore, the third contact portion 58c is turned on when the water level of the chemical solution tank 42 is above a predetermined level during the disinfection process, that is, after a predetermined amount of the chemical solution is supplied to the cleaning tank 2 and turned off once. When the chemical liquid leaks from the cleaning tank 2 into the chemical liquid tank 42, various devices are controlled by signals from the CPU 76 and the operation of the cleaning device is stopped, in the same way as when the first contact part 58a is turned on midway. .

Further, the first contact section 72a and the second contact section 72b of the third water level detection device 71 are connected to a CPU 76 which is a control section, as shown in FIG. The first contact part 72a detects when the water level in the cleaning tank 2 has risen abnormally. When the first contact part 72a is turned on during the disinfection process, the second motor 60 The fifth switching valve 61 is connected to the cleaning tank 2.
At the same time, the drain pump 62 is activated to discharge the liquid in the cleaning tank 2. Also, at this time, among other devices,
The first liquid pump 51 is stopped, and the fourth switching valve 5
9 is closed. Furthermore, the second contact portion 72b detects the appropriate water level of the cleaning tank 2, and when turned on during the disinfection process, it means that the chemical solution has been supplied to the cleaning tank 2 at the appropriate water level, so the fourth switching valve 59 and the first liquid pump 51 is stopped. Also, when a predetermined amount of chemical solution is supplied to the cleaning tank 2 during the disinfection process, it is turned on, and then turned off.
Since the chemical liquid is leaking from the cleaning tank 2 to the chemical liquid tank 42 or the drain pump 62 side, in this case, the first contact part 58a of the second water level detection device 57 is turned on during the disinfection process. Similarly, various devices are controlled to stop the cleaning equipment.

On the other hand, the fifth switching valve 61 and the control mechanism for controlling switching thereof are constructed as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. That is, an outlet 80 is formed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and a sealing member 81 and a connecting member 82, each having through holes 81a and 82a, are connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. It is held on the outside by a frame 83. A mounting plate 84 having a through hole 84a is attached to the connecting member 82, and a housing 85 of the fifth switching valve 61 is attached to the mounting plate 84. The interior of the housing 85 is divided into an inflow chamber 87 in the center by a pair of partition walls 86, 86, and a first outflow chamber 88 and a second outflow chamber 89 on both sides of the inflow chamber 87. And the inflow chamber 8
7 communicates with the cleaning tank 2 , a first outflow chamber 88 is connected to the chemical flow tank 42 , and a second outflow chamber 89 is connected to the drain pump 62 .

The partition walls 86, 86 have through holes 86a, 86a.
A valve seat 90, which protrudes toward each of the outflow chambers 88, 89, is provided around the through holes 86a, 86a.
90 is formed. Further, an operating shaft 91 is slidably provided in the housing 85 with one end projecting from the end surface of the first outflow chamber 88 in a liquid-tight manner. A first valve body 92 is slidably provided on the operating shaft 91 at a portion located within the first outflow chamber 88 , and a second valve body 93 is provided at a portion located within the second outflow chamber 89 . is slidably provided, and a pair of press rings 94, 94 are fixed to a portion located within the inflow chamber 87. Seal members 95, 95 are provided on the surfaces of each valve body 92, 93 facing the valve seats 90, 90, and each valve body 92, 92 is provided with a spring stored in a compressed state in each outflow chamber 88, 89. The seal members 95, 95 are urged to come into pressure contact with the valve seats 90, 90 by the valves 96, 96.

A rack 97 is connected to the operating shaft 91 by a pin 98. The rack 97 is slidably supported by a guide body 99, which is attached to a mounting piece 100 bent at one end of the mounting plate 84. The second motor 60 is attached to this attachment piece 100 via a reducer 101, and a pinion 102 attached to the output shaft 101a of the reducer 101 meshes with the rack 97. . Therefore, when the second motor 60 operates and the pinion 102 is rotationally driven by the output shaft 101a, this pinion 1
The rack 97 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow a or b in FIG. 8 in accordance with the direction of rotation of the fifth selector valve 61, and the operating shaft 91 of the fifth switching valve 61 is interlocked with this. When the operating shaft 91 is driven in the direction of arrow a, the operating shaft 91
The first press ring 94 is fixed to the first
The valve body 92 is pressed against the restoring force of the spring 96, and the inflow chamber 87 and the first outflow chamber 88 communicate with each other. Further, when the operating shaft 91 is driven in the direction of arrow b, the second valve body 9 is pressed by the other pressing ring 94.
3 is pressed, and the inflow chamber 87 and the second outflow chamber 89 communicate with each other. In addition, a guide groove 103 is formed in the rack 97 along the axial direction, and a screw 104 screwed onto the guide body 99 is engaged with the guide groove 103.
This prevents the rack 97 from swinging.

The rack 97 also has a mounting piece 10 at one end.
A plate-shaped actuating body 106 having a bent portion 5 is connected and fixed in parallel to the rack 97 via the mounting piece 105. On one side in the width direction of this actuating body 106, a first convex portion 107 and a first convex portion 107 are arranged from the mounting piece 105 side.
A recess 108 and a second protrusion 109 are sequentially formed, and a second recess 110 and a third protrusion 1 are formed on the other side.
11 are formed in sequence. A first sensor 112 and a second sensor 113 each consisting of a light receiver and a light emitter are located at positions corresponding to both widthwise sides of the actuating body 106.
and are arranged. These sensors 112, 11
3 are attached to both inner surfaces of a U-shaped mounting body 115 connected to the mounting plate 84 via an L-shaped connecting piece 114. Further, a guide hole 116 is bored in the operating body 106 along its longitudinal direction, and a screw 116 screwed into the end face of a presser body 117 attached to the guide body 99 is inserted into the guide hole 116.
This screw 118 and the end face of the presser body 117 prevent the actuating body 106 from swinging.

The first sensor 112 and the second sensor 113
Although not shown, it is connected to the CPU 76,
The switching state of the fifth switching valve 61 is detected in response to signals input by these sensors 112 and 113 to the CPU 76, and the second motor 60 is controlled. That is, the first of the fifth switching valve 61,
When both the second outflow chambers 88 and 89 are closed by the first and second valve bodies 92 and 93,
As shown in FIG. 12a, the first sensor 112 is located in the first recess 107, the second sensor 113 is located in the third protrusion 111, and the
only inputs the light reception signal to the CPU 76. Also,
When the operating shaft 106 is driven in the direction of the arrow a and the first outflow chamber 88 is opened, the first sensor 112 is located on the second protrusion 109 as shown in FIG. 113 is the third convex portion 111
, and no light reception signal is input to the CPU 76 from either the first or second sensor 112 or 113. Further, when the operating shaft 106 is driven in the direction of the arrow b and the second outflow chamber 89 is opened, the first outflow chamber 89 is opened.
As shown in FIG. 2c, the first sensor 112 is located in the first convex portion 107, the second sensor 113 is located in the second concave portion 110, and the light reception signal is input to the CPU 76 only from the second sensor 113. be done. and,
The light reception signals of the first and second sensors 112 and 113 are
Feedback is sent to the second motor 60 via the CPU 76, and the switching state of the fifth switching valve 61 is controlled. Furthermore, when the cleaning device restarts operation after being inadvertently turned off during the process or stopped due to a power outage, the light reception signal is only received from the second sensor 113.
The state input to the CPU 76, that is, the fifth
The cleaning device is configured to operate after the switching valve 61 is switched to the discharge state in which the inflow chamber 87 and the second outflow chamber 89 communicate with each other. However, when the light reception signal is output only from the first sensor 112 when restarting the operation, that is, when the cleaning tank 2 is in the holding state where the chemical solution is stored, the state does not immediately shift to the discharging state, and the inflow chamber 87 and After a predetermined period of time, for example, about 2 minutes, the recovery state in which the chemical solution is collected into the chemical solution tank 42 by communicating with the outflow chamber 88 of the first embodiment is switched to the discharge state.

Next, a process of cleaning and disinfecting an endoscope using the cleaning device will be described. First, an endoscope is installed in the cleaning tank 2, and if the entire endoscope can be cleaned and disinfected, the entire endoscope is installed in the cleaning tank 2. Then, the various channels 70 of the endoscope and the supply port 5 are connected with a tube (not shown). Further, a second air pump 73 is connected to a connection port provided in a connector 75 for leakage testing of the endoscope through a tube (not shown). When such preparations are completed, the power switch 31 of the sub-panel section 8 is turned on with the cover 3 open to make it ready for operation.
Next, turn on the leakage test switch 1 on the main panel section 6.
When 5 is pressed, the indicator lamp 20 on the main panel section 6 lights up immediately, indicating that a leak test is in progress. This display will remain lit until all leak tests are completed. At the same time, the second motor 60 operates to close the fifth switching valve 61, and the cleaning tank 2
cut off. Immediately after the outflow of the cleaning tank 2 is completely blocked in this way, the second air pump 73
starts operating and supplies compressed air to the internal space of the endoscope. On the other hand, when a certain period of time _T1 has elapsed after the second air pump 73 is activated, the second switching valve 50
is opened, the sixth switching valve 63 is switched to the state communicating with the cleaning tank 2 side, and the first liquid pump 51 is further operated. Therefore, the cleaning water in the water supply tank 40 is supplied until the second detection section 72b of the third water level detection device 71 provided in the cleaning tank 2 is turned on. In this way, when water is poured into the cleaning tank 2, the entire endoscope installed in the cleaning tank 2 is submerged in water. As mentioned above, the inside of this endoscope is pressurized with compressed air.
If there is a leakage point such as a crack or pinhole in the outer skin of the endoscope, air bubbles will come out from there. Therefore, by observing and confirming this, the location of the leak can be discovered.

Also, turn on the leak test switch 1 again within the predetermined time.
If 5 is pressed, the operating time will be extended, but if it is not pressed, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the second motor 60 will automatically operate and switch the fifth switching valve 61 to the discharge side, and this switching After finishing, the drain pump 62 is activated to drain the water in the cleaning tank 2. Although the second air pump 73 also stops, the pressurized state of the internal space of the endoscope continues for a while. When all of the water in the cleaning tank 2 has been drained, an end buzzer sounds to notify you of this.

Next, the operations of the cleaning process using cleaning water and the disinfection process using chemical solution will be explained. When only the cleaning process is selected, only that cleaning process is performed, but when the disinfection process is selected, the cleaning process is performed as a pre-process. Therefore, the case where the disinfection process is selected will be explained. First, wash time setting timer 3
2 and the disinfection time setting timer 33 to a predetermined time, and then turn on the start switch 14.
The display lamp 19 lights up, and the remaining time of the entire process is displayed on the time display 27. Also, the second
The motor 60 operates to switch the fifth switching valve 61 to the discharge side. Immediately after this, the second liquid pump 5
1 is activated, and the first motor 56 is activated to rotate the rotary nozzle 55. At the same time, the seventh switching valve 69 is switched to close and the first air pump 68 is activated. Therefore,
In the various channels 70 of the endoscope, cleaning water sent from the water supply tank 40 by the second liquid pump 54 and compressed air sent from the first air pump 68 are mixed in a mixing header 65. sent. That is, since a so-called bubble flow is sent into the channel 70, the channel 70 can be effectively cleaned. In addition, water tank 4
The cleaning water of 0 is also sent to the rotary nozzle 55 by the first air pump 68, and the cleaning water is sprayed onto the surface of the endoscope in the cleaning tank 2.

On the other hand, a detergent can also be added to the washing water in this washing step. When adding detergent, turn on the detergent switch 10 before turning on the start switch 14. Then, the third switching valve 52 is opened for a predetermined time according to the washing time set by the washing time setting timer 32, and the detergent in the detergent tank 41 is added to the washing water, so that so-called detergent washing is performed. For example, flush time setting timer 3
When 2 is set to 3 minutes, detergent is added for the first minute at the same time as the washing starts, and when it is 5 minutes, detergent is added for 2 minutes after 1 minute has passed from the start of washing. Furthermore, at the time of 6 minutes, the detergent is added for 3 minutes after 1 minute has passed from the start of washing. That is, when the detergent switch 10 is turned on, the time for adding detergent is automatically set according to the washing time set by the washing time setting timer 32, and only washing water is always supplied after washing with detergent. A so-called rinsing process is performed for a certain period of time to remove detergent.

When this rinsing process is completed, the second liquid pump 54 is stopped, and the supply of washing water is stopped. At the same time, the first motor 56 stops, and the rotation of the rotary nozzle 55 stops. However, the first air pump 68 continues to operate for a certain period of time to supply only air into the channel 70 of the endoscope and discharge the cleaning water remaining therein. In addition, the drain pump 62
operates until the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 2 is completely exhausted and then stops automatically.

The above is the cleaning process, and if only the cleaning process is selected, the process ends here. However, when the disinfection switch 11 is pressed to select the disinfection process, the disinfection process is performed following the cleaning process.

That is, the second motor 60 is operated and the fifth switching valve 61 is switched to the cutoff state. Immediately after this, the fourth switching valve 59 opens, and the first liquid pump 5
1 is activated, the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank 42 is supplied to the cleaning tank 2. When the endoscope is sufficiently immersed in the chemical solution, the second contact portion 72b of the third water level detection device 71 turns on and detects this, and this detection signal is input to the CPU 76.
This causes the sixth switching valve 63 to switch, supplying the chemical solution to the channel 70 of the endoscope. and,
When the channel 70 is filled with the chemical liquid and the third contact portion 58c of the third water level detection device 57 is turned off, the fourth switching valve 59 is closed and the first liquid pump 51 is stopped. That is, not only the outer surface of the endoscope but also the inside of the channel 70 is immersed and sterilized in the chemical solution.

Then, when the time set by the disinfection time setting timer 33 has elapsed, the chemical solution recovery operation is performed. That is, the second motor 60 operates to switch the inlet of the fifth switching valve 61 to the chemical tank 42, and the chemical in the cleaning tank 2 is returned to the chemical tank 42, and the first air pump 6
8 is activated to also discharge and collect the chemical liquid that has entered the channel 70 of the endoscope.

When this collection is completed, the second motor 60 operates again, the fifth switching valve 61 is switched to the discharge side, and the drain pump 62 starts operating. At the same time, the first air pump 68 and the second liquid pump 54 are activated to perform the same rinsing operation as described above, that is, to perform water rinsing using a bubble flow without adding detergent. Not only the outer surface of the channel 70 but also the inside of the channel 70 is rinsed. When this rinsing step is completed, the second liquid pump 54 is stopped and only the first air pump 68 continues to operate to drain the channel 70.

In addition, in the above disinfection process, the disinfection switch 11
When the overnight switch 12 is turned on instead, the endoscope is immersed in the chemical solution for a long time, for example, about 10 hours, and then the above-mentioned rinsing step and draining step are performed. Such overnight disinfection is used to reliably disinfect endoscopes with excellent chemical resistance.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned washing and draining can be carried out by turning on the manual flushing switch 34 or air switch 35 provided on the sub-panel section 35, and when replacing the chemical in the chemical tank 42, the drain switch 36 can be turned on. When turned on, the first liquid pump 51 and the drain pump 6 are turned on.
2, fourth, fifth, and sixth switching valves 59, 61, 63
is activated and the chemical solution is discharged.

By the way, according to the cleaning apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, there is a fifth step for switching the cleaning water and chemical solution supplied to the cleaning tank 2 into a discharge state, a holding state, or a recovery state for each process.
The switching state of the switching valve 61 is detected by the first and second sensors 112, 113 via the actuating body 106 which is interlocked with the operating shaft 91 of the fifth switching valve 61, and this detection signal is sent to the CPU 76. The operation of the second motor 60 is controlled by feedback to the second motor 60 via the motor. Therefore, the second motor 60 continues to operate until the fifth switching valve 61 is switched to each of the above states, so that the fifth switching valve 61 is reliably switched. There is no possibility that cleaning water will flow into the chemical solution tank 42 and mix with the chemical solution during the cleaning process, or that the chemical solution will be discharged during the disinfection process.

In addition, if the power to the cleaning equipment is carelessly turned off during the cleaning or disinfection process, or if the cleaning equipment stops due to a power outage, etc., then the cleaning equipment is restarted from the first step. Sometimes, the switching state of the fifth switching valve 61 is the first switching state,
When detected by the second sensors 112 and 113, and when the inflow chamber 87 and the second outflow chamber 89 are not in the discharge state in communication, the first and second sensors 112,
The second motor 60 is activated by the detection signal from 113.
is operated to switch the fifth switching valve 61 to the discharge state. However, when the inflow chamber 87 of the fifth switching valve 61 is in the holding state where it is blocked by the first and second valve bodies 92 and 93, that is, the cleaning device stops during the disinfection process and the operation is stopped. When restarted, the recovery state in which the inflow chamber 87 is communicated with the first outflow chamber 88 and the chemical solution in the cleaning tank 2 is recovered into the chemical solution tank 42 is switched to the discharge state after a predetermined period of time. Therefore, when the operation of the cleaning device is resumed, the cleaning water is not supplied to the cleaning tank 2 with the fifth switching valve 61 in the held state and is not mixed with the chemical solution stored in the cleaning tank 2. Accidents such as the chemical solution stored in the cleaning tank 2 being discharged or the cleaning water overflowing from the cleaning tank 2 can be prevented.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
For example, the operating shaft 91 of the fifth switching valve 61 is
As shown in FIG. 5, the output shaft 101a of the reducer 101
The cam body 120 is attached to the cam body 120, and the operating shaft 9 is inserted into the cam groove 120a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 120.
The cam body 120 may be driven in accordance with the rotation of the cam body 120 by engaging a pin 121 protruding from the cam body 120 . In the case of such a configuration, the actuating body 106 may be attached to the actuating shaft 91, although not shown.

Further, the switching state of the fifth switching valve 61 is changed to the operating body 1.
As shown in FIG. 16, the means for detecting via the
and the second micro switch 123, the detector 122 of these micro switches 122, 123 is used.
a, 123a may be brought into contact with both sides of the actuating body 106, respectively.

As described above, the present invention uses a sensor to detect the movement of the operating body that is linked to the switching operation of the switching device, and uses this detection signal to control the switching operation of the switching device, so that the switching device can be operated reliably. Can be switched. Therefore, it is possible to prevent accidents such as overflowing of the cleaning water from the cleaning tank without being drained, cleaning water mixing with the chemical solution, or discharge of the chemical solution without being recovered. Further, the switching device has a structure in which the opening in the recovery and discharge directions is closed by a spring that constantly urges the valve body against the valve seat. Therefore, one switching device can perform the three operations of discharging the cleaning water, holding the chemical solution for immersion disinfection with the chemical solution, and discharging the chemical solution after disinfection.
The structure and control can be simplified compared to the case where each operation is performed by separate valves.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 14 show one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning device, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main panel section, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sub-panel section, and FIG. The figure is a piping system diagram of equipment installed inside the cleaning device, Figure 5 is an explanation diagram of the operation of the first water level detection device, Figure 6 is an explanation diagram of the operation of the second water level detection device, and Figure 7 is an illustration of the operation of the second water level detection device. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the third water level detection device, Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the switching device provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank, Fig. 9 is a front view of the control mechanism that switches and controls the switching device, and Fig. 10 is a plan view as well. Figure, 11th
The figure is also a side view, Figures 12a to 12c are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the operating body and the sensor, Figure 13 is a time chart during leakage inspection of the endoscope, and Figure 14 is the cleaning process and disinfection process. FIG. 15 is a side view of a drive mechanism of a switching device showing another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an actuating body and a sensor showing still another embodiment of the invention. It is. 2...Cleaning tank, 60...Second motor, 61...
...Fifth switching valve (switching device), 76...CPU, 1
06... Working body, 112... First sensor, 11
3...Second sensor, 122, 123...Micro switch (sensor).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A switching device is connected to a cleaning tank to which cleaning water and a chemical solution are selectively supplied, and this switching device discharges cleaning water from the cleaning tank in a discharge state, in a holding state in which the chemical solution is stored in the cleaning tank, and in a holding state in which the chemical solution is discharged from the cleaning tank. The switching device has a structure in which the openings in the recovery and discharge directions are closed by a spring that constantly biases the valve body against the valve seat. an actuating body that is linked to the switching operation of the switching device; and a sensor that detects the movement of the actuating body and controls the switching operation of the switching device using the detection signal. Mirror cleaning device.