JPH105706A - Cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a cleaning device capable of protecting a low-vibration-resistant member, which is likely to be adversely affected by ultrasonic vibration. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic vibrator (vibrator) is provided in a cleaning tank 12.
37, a low vibration member 3 including a water level sensor 33, a temperature sensor 34 (sensors), and a heater 35 (attached equipment).
6 and these low vibration resistant members 36 are attached to the vibration isolating members 38.
Cover with.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning instruments used in, for example, medical dentistry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of cleaning apparatus, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-71054, cleaning water is used for cleaning instruments (objects to be cleaned) which have been used by treatment. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been known a washing apparatus capable of washing appliances collectively by immersing it in a washing tank and then turning on the switch.

[0003] This cleaning apparatus is provided with a cleaning tank having an ultrasonic vibrator, and waves are transmitted while repeatedly compressing and depressurizing the medium liquid (washing water) according to the inherent frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator. A cavity is formed between the molecules of the medium fluid at the point of change between the pressure and the pressure, and when the cavity is crushed, impact energy is generated (cavitation force), and the attached substance is dropped by the energy.

Incidentally, in such a cleaning apparatus, as shown in FIG.
A cleaning tank 53 having, for example, a nichrome wire for heating the cleaning water 51 to enhance the cleaning power.
A temperature sensor 55 containing a thermocouple for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water 51 or an accessory device comprising the cleaning water 51
In some cases, sensors such as a float type water level sensor 56 having a built-in reed switch for detecting the amount of water are provided.

[0005]

However, all of the above-mentioned accessory devices and sensors are electrical devices, and the electrical connection points due to soldering or the like are damaged by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibration element 50. Is concerned,
In particular, in the heater 54, the nichrome wire is easily broken or short-circuited by ultrasonic vibration.
In the case of No. 6, there is a problem that a welded portion of a float formed of a metal material in consideration of corrosion resistance is easily damaged or broken by ultrasonic vibration.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and can protect low-vibration-resistant members, such as accessories and sensors, from which the adverse effects of ultrasonic vibration are concerned from ultrasonic vibration. It is intended to provide a cleaning device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning tank for supplying ultrasonic waves to a cleaning object immersed in cleaning water to perform ultrasonic cleaning of the cleaning object.
A cleaning apparatus comprising: a vibrator for generating the ultrasonic wave; and a low-vibration-resistant member at least a part of which is immersed in the cleaning water, wherein the vibrator is provided inside the cleaning tank. A vibration damping member for attenuating the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the low vibration member to the low vibration member, and the ultrasonic vibration element is mounted on one side of the cleaning tank in a biased position. Thus, a space that does not face the ultrasonic vibrator is formed in the cleaning tank, and the low vibration resistant member is disposed in this space.

The low-vibration-resistant member comprises sensors for detecting the state of the cleaning water or an accessory device for performing a predetermined treatment on the cleaning water, and the low-vibration-resistant member comprises the cleaning water in the cleaning tank. Characterized in that it has a communication hole that allows the circulation of

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to reference numerals of an embodiment. An ultrasonic vibrator (vibrator) 37, a water level sensor 33, and a temperature sensor 34 (sensors) are provided in the cleaning tank 12. Low-vibration member 3 consisting of a heater 35 (accessory equipment)
6 and these low vibration resistant members 36 are attached to the vibration isolating members 38.
, The ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 37 to the low vibration member 36 is attenuated by the vibration isolator 38, so that damage or failure of the low vibration resistant member 36 due to the ultrasonic vibration is suppressed. At this time, the ultrasonic vibrator 37 is eccentrically arranged at a position deviating from one side of the cleaning tank 12, and a space S that does not face the ultrasonic vibrator 37 is formed in the cleaning tank 12 by this eccentric arrangement. If the low vibration proof member 36 covered with the vibration proof member 38 is disposed in the space S, the reliability of suppressing damage to the low vibration proof member 36 due to ultrasonic vibration is increased.
Further, if a communication hole 387 that allows the flow of the cleaning water W is formed in the vibration isolating member 38, the water level sensor 3 as sensors can be formed.
3. The reliability of the detection of the state of the cleaning water W by the temperature sensor 34 is enhanced, and the unevenness in the heating processing of the cleaning water W by the heater 35 as an accessory is reduced.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Is a cross-sectional view showing an internal mechanism of the apparatus, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a cleaning tank showing a low-vibration-resistant member, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a vibration-proof member, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining details of processing steps.

In FIG. 1, the cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment is covered by a plurality of exterior covers 1 made of a thin metal plate. Above the exterior cover 1, an exterior door 2 that can be opened and closed is provided. An operation panel 5 which is located above the exterior door 2 and includes a plurality of operation switches 3 and an operation state display unit 4
And a main switch 6 located on the side of the operation panel 5 for switching on / off of the power supply.

In FIG. 2, the interior of the device is divided into an upper frame unit U1, a middle frame unit U2, and a lower frame unit U3. Each of these units U1, U2, U3 includes a metal main frame 7, 8, 9 made of a frame-shaped body.
Of the items 8 and 9, the main frame 7 carries a metal device (washing object) 10 for dental care, such as a stopper, a probe, an excavator, and tweezers, to which an attachment such as a medicine is attached by treatment. The main frame 8 is provided with a cleaning tank 12 and an immersion tank 13 for performing processing to be described later on the instruments 10 transferred by the transport mechanism 11, and the main frame 9 is provided with the tanks 12 and 13. A control box 14 for controlling each process to be performed and the transport mechanism 11 is mounted. The exterior cover 1 shown in FIG. 1 is fixed to these main frames 7, 8, and 9.

The transport mechanism 11 moves the metal transport basket 15 containing the instruments 10 in the vertical direction in FIG.
2), and a horizontal moving transport unit 17 that transports the vertical transport unit 16 holding the transport basket 15 in the horizontal direction in FIG.

The vertical moving transport section 16 includes a pulley 18 driven by a driving member, such as a motor (not shown).
And an endless belt 20 is provided so as to hang over a pulley 18, and a responsive member 20 a is fixed to the endless belt 20,
The response member 20a is provided so as to be vertically movable along the guide 21, and the arm 22 is fixed to the response member 20a.
The transfer basket 15 in which the metal device 10 is placed in the arm 22
Is held.

As in the case of the above-mentioned vertical transport section 16, the horizontal transport section 17 is provided with a pulley 23, which is driven by a drive member such as a motor (not shown), on a bracket 24 fixed to the main frame 7. An endless belt 25 is provided so as to hang over the transfer substrate 18 of the vertical transfer section 16 and fixed to the endless belt 25.
Are movably provided in the left-right direction along a guide rail 27 provided on a back plate 26 on the back of the main frame 7.

The washing tank 12 is made of stainless steel, and is formed in a box shape having an opening 28 at an upper portion. Sensors including a port 31 and a drain port 32, a water level sensor 33 for detecting the level of the cleaning water W in the tank, and a temperature sensor 34 for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water W, and a heater for heating the cleaning water W to a predetermined temperature. A low-vibration-resistant member 36, which is an accessory device consisting of 35, and an ultrasonic vibrator 37 for supplying ultrasonic waves to the device 10, are suspended and fixed to the main frame 8 through a flange (not shown), and The ultrasonic cleaning of the device 10 immersed in the cleaning water W is performed.

Here, based on FIG.
6, that is, the water level sensor 33, the temperature sensor 34 (sensors), and the heater 35 (attached equipment) will be described in detail. The water level sensor 33 includes a reed switch 331 housed in a stainless steel waterproof case 330, A metal float 332 fitted into the mold waterproof case 330 and hollowed by welding to form a reed switch 3 according to the displacement of the float 332 according to the water level of the washing water W.
The control box 14 detects that the water level of the washing water W has reached a predetermined level and outputs a signal to the control box 14. The control box 14 supplies a water supply pipe according to a water level detection signal of the water level sensor 33. The supply of the cleaning water W to the cleaning tank 12 through 29 is controlled.

The temperature sensor 34 has a thermocouple 341 as a detection element in a tubular waterproof case 340 made of stainless steel. The thermocouple 341 detects the temperature of the washing water W and outputs it to the control box 14. , Control box 14
Is a heater 35 according to a temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 34.
Of the cleaning water W is controlled.

The heater 35 has a stainless steel tubular waterproof case 350 in which a nichrome wire 351 is provided as a heating element. The heater 35 is controlled by energizing the nichrome wire 351 of the control box 14 in accordance with the temperature detection signal of the temperature sensor 34. The nichrome wire 351 generates heat and heat-treats the cleaning water W.

In this embodiment, these water level sensors 3
3. The temperature sensor 34 and the heater 35 are
2 is eccentrically disposed on the right side in FIG. 2 with respect to the cleaning tank 12, so that a space S that does not face the ultrasonic oscillator 37 is formed in the cleaning tank 12, and is disposed in the space S. The sensor 34 and the heater 35 are directly attached and fixed to the side wall of the washing tank 12, and the water level sensor 33 is attached and fixed to the washing tank 12 through a vibration isolating member 38.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vibration damping member 38 is formed by bending a metal plate made of, for example, stainless steel by means of a press or the like, and extending along the side wall of the cleaning tank 12. Mounting plate 38 which is screwed and fixed (not shown) to
0, a box-shaped storage section 38 opened on the side wall side of the cleaning tank 12
1 and the first to fifth vibration isolating plates 382 to 386 that form the first vibration isolating plate 1. Part 382
And the second and third vibration isolating plate portions 383, 3
Reference numeral 84 denotes a low vibration-proof structure including the water level sensor 33, the temperature sensor 34, and the heater 35, which are also configured to store the detection portions of the temperature sensor 34 and the heater 35 below the storage portion 381 formed by these components. Each detection portion of the sexual member 36 is covered with the first to fifth vibration isolating plate portions 382 to 386,
Thus, the ultrasonic vibration from the ultrasonic vibrator 37 is not directly transmitted to the low vibration resistant member 36.

The second vibration isolator 383 of the vibration isolator 38
Are formed with a plurality of communication holes 387, and the communication holes 387 serve to wash water W inside and outside the storage portion 381.
Is possible.

The first vibration isolator 382 of the vibration isolator 38
, A hollow guide tube 388 is fixed by welding, and a lead wire of a water level sensor 33 (not shown) is drawn around the guide tube 388 so as to be waterproof.

Immersion tank 1 juxtaposed adjacent to cleaning tank 12
Similarly to the washing tank 12, the washing tank 12 is made of stainless steel and is formed in a box shape having an opening 39 at the upper side. Water supply port 42 and drain port 43, and immersion water W in the tank
2 is provided with a water level sensor 44 for detecting the water level, a temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature of the immersion water, and a heater 46 for heating the immersion water W2 to a predetermined temperature. Whether the fixture 10 transported through the transport mechanism 11 in the immersion water W2 to which the detergent has been added is immersed in the immersion water W2 to make it easier to remove the attached matter,
Alternatively, the device 10 is immersed in immersion water W2 to which a disinfectant has been added to facilitate disinfection or removal of attached matter.

The water level sensor 4 attached to the immersion tank 13
4. The temperature sensor 45 and the heater 46 are the same as the sensors 33 and 34 and the heater 35 of the cleaning tank 12.

The control box 14 drives the transport mechanism 11 according to the ON operation of the main switch 6 and a group of operation switches 3 (see FIG. 1) for selecting a mode as a setting section, and controls the state of the cleaning tank 12 and the immersion tank 13. The processing steps including the processing time in each of the tanks 12 and 13 and the display driving of the operation state display unit 4 are automatically controlled.
More specifically, in the state of 3, the water supply and drainage based on the output signals of the water level sensors 33 and 44, the water temperature setting by the heaters 35 and 46 based on the output signals of the temperature sensors 34 and 45, and the ultrasonic supply by the ultrasonic vibrator 37 are respectively performed. To control.

In the case of this embodiment, as the operation switches 3, for example, a standard mode selection switch for executing processing in the standard mode, a short mode selection switch for executing processing in the short mode, and disinfection for executing the processing in the disinfection mode. The operation and processing steps of the cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 by taking as an example a case where mode selection switches are provided, and each of the mode selection switches (operation switch 3) is selected. .

FIG. 5 shows the standard mode.
1 (see FIG. 1), the used device 10 is placed on the mounting portion 22a of the arm 22 of the transport mechanism 11 in the reset state shown in FIG.
Is set, and the exterior door 2 is closed (step 1).

Next, after confirming safety, the main switch 6 and the operation switch 3 for selecting the standard mode are turned on (steps 2 and 3).

As a result, the transport car 15 is moved to the transport mechanism 11
, Is automatically conveyed into the cleaning tank 12 and the cleaning tank 1 in FIG.
The automatic water supply to the washing tank 12 of the washing water W is started while the washing water W is arranged at the position of the transport basket 15 indicated by the dashed line in FIG.
The device 10 is dip rinsed for about 1 minute (step 4). At this time, the washing water W is constantly supplied, overflows from the overflow port to form a swirl, and at this time, the transport mechanism 15 is moved up and down by the transport mechanism 11 to enhance the rinsing effect.

Next, the supply of water to the cleaning tank 12 is stopped, and the apparatus 10 is ultrasonically cleaned (preliminary cleaning) for about 2 minutes while being immersed in the cleaning water W (step 5).

When step 5 is completed, the tool 10 is transported by the transport mechanism 11 to the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. An immersion process is performed (step 6). This weakens the adhesion of the deposits on the device 10 that could not be removed in step 5.

When step 6 is completed, the tool 10 is transported to the cleaning tank 12 by the transport mechanism 11 and subjected to ultrasonic cleaning (main cleaning) for about 5 minutes (step 7). This removes deposits or further weakens the adhesion.

When Step 7 is completed, the tool 10 is subjected to the same dip rinsing process as Step 4 in the cleaning tank 12 for 1 minute (Step 8). As a result, the adhered matter is successfully removed, and the process is completed (step 9) (total processing time is about 19 minutes). Note that this mode is particularly advantageous for cleaning the dental care instrument 10 with a cement or the like having a strong adhesive force.

As described above, in this embodiment, the cleaning tank 12
And an ultrasonic transducer (vibrator) 37, a water level sensor 33,
Temperature sensor 34 (sensors), heater (heater) 35
By disposing the low-vibration member 36 (attached device) and covering the low-vibration member 36 with the vibration-proof member 38, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 37 to the low-vibration member 36 is transmitted. Since the vibration is attenuated by the vibration isolating member 38, damage to the low vibration resistant member 36 due to ultrasonic vibration can be suppressed. In particular, since the ultrasonic vibration emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 37 has straightness, the third vibration isolator 384 of the vibration isolator 38 located on the ultrasonic vibrator 37 side has low vibration resistance from the ultrasonic vibration. This is effective in protecting the sex member 36. In addition, the water level sensor 33 must be fixed above the cleaning tank 12 and requires a dedicated mounting bracket. For this purpose, in this example, the vibration isolating member 38 can have the function of the mounting bracket. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrator 37 is eccentrically arranged at a position deviated from the bottom of the cleaning tank 12, and the eccentric arrangement places a space S in the cleaning tank 12 that does not face the ultrasonic vibrator 37. When the low vibration-resistant member 36 covered with the vibration-proof member 38 is disposed in the space S, damage to the low vibration-resistant member 36 due to ultrasonic vibration can be more effectively suppressed.

In this embodiment, the communication hole 387 is formed in the second vibration isolating plate 383 of the vibration isolating member 38,
Cleaning water W between the inside and the outside of the storage section 381 of the vibration isolation member 38
, The reliability of the state detection of the cleaning water W by the sensors 33 and 34 can be improved, and the unevenness in the heating processing of the cleaning water W by the heater 36 as an accessory device can be reduced. .

In this embodiment, of the water level sensor 33, the temperature sensor 34, and the heater 35 (low vibration resistant member 36),
Although only the water level sensor 33 was attached and fixed to the vibration isolating member 38,
All of these sensors and attached devices may be attached to the vibration isolating member 38, or any one of them may be attached to the vibration isolating member 38.

In the present embodiment, the first to fifth vibration isolating plates 382 to 386 of the vibration isolating member 38 are formed in a box shape, but the low vibration proof member 36 is protected from ultrasonic vibration. Can be selected as appropriate.

[0041]

As described above in detail, the present invention includes a cleaning tank for supplying ultrasonic waves to an object to be cleaned immersed in cleaning water to perform ultrasonic cleaning of the object to be cleaned. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a vibrator for generating the ultrasonic wave; and a low-vibration-resistant member at least a part of which is immersed in the cleaning water, wherein the low vibration is transmitted from the vibrator to the inside of the cleaning tank. By providing the vibration isolating member for attenuating the ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the member, the low vibration resistant member can be protected from the ultrasonic vibration.

The ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on one side of the cleaning tank at an offset position to form a space in the cleaning tank that does not face the ultrasonic vibrator. By arranging the low vibration proof member, protection of the low vibration proof member from ultrasonic vibration becomes effective.

The low-vibration-resistant member comprises sensors for detecting the state of the cleaning water or an accessory device for performing a predetermined treatment on the cleaning water, and the low-vibration-resistant member comprises the cleaning water in the cleaning tank. Providing the communication hole that allows the circulation can improve the reliability of the detection of the state of the washing water by the sensors and can reduce the unevenness in the treatment of the washing water by the attached device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an internal mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a low-vibration-resistant member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an anti-vibration member.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing processing steps in a standard mode.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Instrument 11 Transport mechanism 12 Cleaning tank 13 Immersion tank 14 Control box 33,44 Water level sensor (low vibration resistance member (sensors)) 34,45 Temperature sensor (low vibration resistance member (sensors)) 35,46 Heater (low Vibration-resistant member (attached equipment)) 37 Ultrasonic vibrator 38 Vibration-proof member 387 Communication hole S Space W Wash water

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning tank for supplying an ultrasonic wave to an object to be cleaned immersed in cleaning water to perform ultrasonic cleaning of the object to be cleaned, a vibrator for generating the ultrasonic wave in the cleaning tank, and the cleaning What is claimed is: 1. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a low-vibration-resistant member, at least a part of which is immersed in water, wherein the vibration-absorbing member attenuates an ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibrator to the low-vibration member inside the cleaning tank. A cleaning device comprising a member. 2. A space that does not face the ultrasonic vibrator is formed in the cleaning tank by mounting the ultrasonic vibrator on one side of the cleaning tank so as to be biased. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the low vibration-resistant member is disposed. 3. The low-vibration-resistant member comprises sensors for detecting a state of the cleaning water or an accessory device for performing a predetermined process on the cleaning water, and the low-vibration-resistant member includes the cleaning water in the cleaning tank. 3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication hole that allows a flow of the cleaning fluid.