Washing or sterilization equipment

Abstract

To notify that the start control device for initiating the operation of the washing or sterilization equipment has not been operated. [Solution] The processing apparatus 1, which is a washing or sterilization device, comprises a processor 14 that houses the object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed, a start operation device 83 that is operated to start operation, a notification device 84 that operates to notify that the start operation device 83 has not been operated, and a controller 30. The controller 30 has a determination unit 42 that determines whether or not predetermined specified conditions are met, and a notification control unit 43 that activates the notification device 84 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time it is determined that the specified conditions are met. The specified conditions include a first specified condition in which a new object to be processed is brought into the processor 14 while the processor 14 is in a standby state where it can start operation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a cleaning or sterilization apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] In the technical field pertaining to cleaning or sterilization apparatuses, a cleaning and sterilization apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, the cleaning and sterilization apparatus includes an operation start button. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-065860 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] There is a possibility that a user of a cleaning or sterilization apparatus may forget to operate a start operation device for starting operation.

[0005] An object of the technology disclosed in the present specification is to notify that a start operation device for starting operation of a cleaning or sterilization apparatus has not been operated. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a washing or sterilization apparatus. The washing or sterilization apparatus comprises a processor that houses an object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed; a start operation device that is operated to start operation; a notification device that operates to notify that the start operation device has not been operated; and a controller. The controller has a determination unit that determines whether predetermined specified conditions are met, and a notification control unit that activates the notification device when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time it is determined that the specified conditions are met. The specified conditions include a first specified condition in which an object to be processed is brought into the processor while the processor is in a standby state where it can be started. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the technology disclosed herein, it is notified that the start control device for initiating the operation of a cleaning or sterilization device has not been operated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a processing facility according to an embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the specified conditions according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, the positional relationships of each part will be described using the terms left, right, front, rear, top, and bottom. These terms indicate relative positions or directions with respect to the center of the processor.

[0010] [Processing facility] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a processing facility 10 according to an embodiment, viewed from above. The processing facility 10 cleans and sterilizes the objects to be processed. Medical instruments are exemplified as objects to be processed. Scalpels and forceps are exemplified as medical instruments. A washer 141 for cleaning the objects to be processed and a sterilizer 142 for sterilizing the objects to be processed are installed in the processing facility 10. The objects to be processed are transported by a trolley 20. An example of the washer 141 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-037075. An example of the sterilizer 142 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-122699 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-229034.

[0011] The processing facility 10 has a first room 11, a second room 12, and a third room 13. Each of the first room 11, the second room 12, and the third room 13 is a cleanroom. The first room 11 is a cleanroom with a cleanliness level of 1. The second room 12 is a cleanroom with a cleanliness level of 2, which is cleaner than the cleanliness level of 1. The third room 13 is a cleanroom with a cleanliness level of 3, which is cleaner than the cleanliness level of 2. The first room 11, the second room 12, and the third room 13 are arranged adjacent to each other. The second room 12 is located in front of the first room 11. The third room 13 is located in front of the second room 12. The first room 11 and the second room 12 are separated by a first wall. The second room 12 and the third room 13 are separated by a second wall. The boundary between the first room 11 and the second room 12 includes the first wall. The boundary between room 2, section 12 and room 3, section 13 includes the second wall.

[0012] Washer 141 has an entrance door 161 that opens and closes the entrance to the washer 141, and an exit door 171 that opens and closes the exit to the washer 141. Sterilizer 142 has an entrance door 162 that opens and closes the entrance to the sterilizer 142, and an exit door 172 that opens and closes the exit to the sterilizer 142.

[0013] The washing device 141 is positioned at the boundary between the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. The entrance to the washing device 141 faces the first chamber 11. The exit to the washing device 141 faces the second chamber 12. The washing device 141 is fixed to the first wall separating the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. Multiple washing devices 141 are provided. The number of washing devices 141 is arbitrary.

[0014] The sterilizer 142 is positioned at the boundary between the second chamber 12 and the third chamber 13. The entrance to the sterilizer 142 faces the second chamber 12. The exit to the sterilizer 142 faces the third chamber 13. The sterilizer 142 is fixed to the second wall separating the second chamber 12 and the third chamber 13. Multiple sterilizers 142 are provided. The number of sterilizers 142 is arbitrary.

[0015] In the first room 11, the loading device 181 is positioned facing the entrance to the washing machine 141. Users in the first room 11 can place a trolley 20 on the loading device 181. The loading device 181 can load the trolley 20 into the washing machine 141.

[0016] In the second room 12, the unloading device 191 is positioned facing the outlet of the washing machine 141. The unloading device 191 can unload the trolley 20 from the washing machine 141. Users in the second room 12 can move the trolley 20, which has been unloaded from the washing machine 141, to any location.

[0017] In the second room 12, the loading device 182 is positioned facing the entrance of the sterilizer 142. Users in the second room 12 can place a trolley 20 on the loading device 182. The loading device 182 can load the trolley 20 into the sterilizer 142.

[0018] In the third room 13, the unloading device 192 is positioned facing the outlet of the sterilizer 142. The unloading device 192 can unload the trolley 20 from the sterilizer 142. Users in the third room 13 can move the trolley 20, which has been unloaded from the sterilizer 142, to any location.

[0019] After being cleaned by the washer 141, the object to be processed is sterilized by the sterilizer 142. The object to be processed, which is loaded on the cart 20, is carried into the washer 141 from the first chamber 11. The washer 141 cleans the object to be processed that is loaded on the cart 20. After being cleaned, the object to be processed, which is loaded on the cart 20, is carried out from the washer 141 to the second chamber 12. The cleaned object to be processed, which is loaded on the cart 20, is carried into the sterilizer 142 from the second chamber 12. The sterilizer 142 sterilizes the object to be processed that is loaded on the cart 20. After being sterilized, the object to be processed, which is loaded on the cart 20, is carried out from the sterilizer 142 to the third chamber 13.

[0020] In the following description, the washer 141 and the sterilizer 142 are collectively referred to as the processor 14 where appropriate. The inlet door 161 and the inlet door 162 are collectively referred to as the inlet door 16 where appropriate. The outlet door 171 and the outlet door 172 are collectively referred to as the outlet door 17 where appropriate. The carry-in device 181 and the carry-in device 182 are collectively referred to as the carry-in device 18 where appropriate. The carry-out device 191 and the carry-out device 192 are collectively referred to as the carry-out device 19 where appropriate. The object to be processed is accommodated in the processor 14. The processor 14 includes a processing tank capable of accommodating the object to be processed. The processor 14 operates to clean or sterilize the object to be processed.

[0021] [Processing apparatus] Figure 2 is a side view schematically showing the processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The processing apparatus 1 is a cleaning apparatus that cleans an object to be processed or a sterilization apparatus that sterilizes an object to be processed.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the processing apparatus 1 includes a processor 14, a carry-in device 18, a carry-out device 19, an inlet sensor 2, a carry-in sensor 3, a processor sensor 4, an operation sensor 5, a carry-out sensor 6, an outlet sensor 7, and an interface panel 8.

[0023] The processor 14 is fixed to the wall of the processing facility 10. The entrance to the processor 14 is located at the rear of the processor 14. The exit to the processor 14 is located at the front of the processor 14. The processor 14 has an entrance door 16 for bringing the material to be processed into the processor 14 and an exit door 17 for removing the material to be processed from the processor 14. The entrance door 16 opens and closes the entrance to the processor 14. The exit door 17 opens and closes the exit to the processor 14.

[0024] The loading device 18 is located in the entrance chamber 21 on the outside of the processing unit 14. The entrance to the processing unit 14 faces the entrance chamber 21. After the user places the cart 20 loaded with the items to be processed into the loading device 18, the entrance door 16 is opened, and the loading device 18 can load the cart 20 into the inside of the processing unit 14.

[0025] The unloading device 19 is located in the exit chamber 22 on the outside of the processing unit 14. The exit of the processing unit 14 faces the exit chamber 22. When the processing of the object to be processed on the trolley 20 in the processing unit 14 is completed and the exit door 17 is opened, the unloading device 19 can unload the trolley 20 from inside the processing unit 14. The user can then transport the trolley 20, which has been unloaded from the processing unit 14, to any location.

[0026] If the entrance room 21 is the first room 11, then the exit room 22 is the second room 12. If the entrance room 21 is the second room 12, then the exit room 22 is the third room 13.

[0027] The entrance sensor 2 detects whether or not the object to be processed is placed in the loading device 18. The entrance sensor 2 is located in the loading device 18. In this embodiment, the placement of the object to be processed in the loading device 18 includes the placement of the trolley 20 on which the object to be processed is mounted in the loading device 18. The entrance sensor 2 may be a contact-type sensor that detects whether the trolley 20 is placed in the loading device 18 by contact with the trolley 20. The entrance sensor 2 may be a non-contact-type sensor that detects whether the trolley 20 is placed in the loading device 18 by emitting detection light.

[0028] The entrance sensor 2 is an example of a state sensor that detects when the cart 20 changes from being positioned on the loading device 18 to being unpositioned, thereby indicating that the object to be processed has been loaded into the processing unit 14.

[0029] The loading sensor 3 detects when the object to be processed has been loaded into the processing unit 14. The loading sensor 3 is located at the entrance of the processing unit 14. In this embodiment, loading the object to be processed into the processing unit 14 includes loading the cart 20 on which the object to be processed is loaded into the processing unit 14. The loading sensor 3 may also detect when the object to be processed has been loaded into the processing unit 14 by detecting when the entrance door 16 has been opened or closed. The loading sensor 3 may also be a door sensor that detects when the entrance door 16 has been opened or closed. The loading sensor 3 may also be a contact sensor that detects when the entrance door 16 has been opened or closed by contact with the entrance door 16.

[0030] The loading sensor 3 may also detect that the object to be processed has been loaded into the processor 14 by detecting that the object has passed through the entrance of the processor 14. In this embodiment, the object passing through the entrance of the processor 14 includes the trolley 20 on which the object to be processed has passed through the entrance of the processor 14. The loading sensor 3 may also be a non-contact sensor that detects that the trolley 20 has passed through the entrance of the processor 14 by emitting detection light.

[0031] The loading sensor 3 is an example of a state sensor that detects when a processing target has been loaded into the processing unit 14 by detecting when the entrance door 16 changes from a closed state to an open state or when the processing target has passed through the entrance of the processing unit 14.

[0032] The processor sensor 4 detects whether the object to be processed is located inside the processor 14. The processor sensor 4 is located inside the processor 14. In this embodiment, the object to be processed being located inside the processor 14 includes the trolley 20 on which the object to be processed is mounted being located inside the processor 14. The processor sensor 4 may be a contact-type sensor that detects whether the trolley 20 is located inside the processor 14 by contact with the trolley 20. The processor sensor 4 may also be a non-contact sensor that detects whether the trolley 20 is located inside the processor 14 by emitting detection light.

[0033] The processor sensor 4 is an example of a state sensor that detects when an object to be processed has been loaded into the processor 14 by detecting when the object to be processed has changed from being placed inside the processor 14 to being placed inside the processor 14. The processor sensor 4 is also an example of a state sensor that detects when an object to be processed has been unloaded from the processor 14 by detecting when the object to be processed has changed from being placed inside the processor 14 to being not placed inside the processor 14.

[0034] The operation sensor 5 detects whether a cleaning or sterilization process is being performed in the processor 14. The processor 14 processes the object to be processed at a specified processing temperature and pressure for a specified processing time. If the processor 14 is a washer 141, the object to be processed is cleaned at a specified cleaning temperature and pressure for a specified cleaning time. If the processor 14 is a sterilizer 142, the object to be processed is sterilized at a specified sterilization temperature and sterilization pressure for a specified sterilization time. The operation sensor 5 includes at least one of a temperature sensor that detects the processing temperature (cleaning temperature or sterilization temperature) and a pressure sensor that detects the processing pressure (cleaning pressure or sterilization pressure). If the processor 14 is a washer 141, the operation sensor 5 detects whether a cleaning process is being performed by detecting at least one of the cleaning temperature and cleaning pressure. If the processor 14 is a sterilizer 142, the operation sensor 5 detects whether a sterilization process is being performed by detecting at least one of the sterilization temperature and sterilization pressure. The operation sensor 5 may also include a timer that detects whether the object to be processed has been processed (cleaned or sterilized) for a specified processing time (cleaning time or sterilization time).

[0035] The discharge sensor 6 detects when the object to be processed is discharged from inside the processor 14. The discharge sensor 6 is located at the exit of the processor 14. In this embodiment, the discharge of the object to be processed from the processor 14 includes the discharge of the trolley 20 on which the object to be processed is mounted. The discharge sensor 6 may also detect when the object to be processed is discharged from the processor 14 by detecting when the exit door 17 is opened or closed. The discharge sensor 6 may also be a door sensor that detects when the exit door 17 is opened or closed. The discharge sensor 6 may also be a contact sensor that detects when the exit door 17 is opened or closed by contact with the exit door 17.

[0036] The discharge sensor 6 may also detect when a processed object has been discharged from the processor 14 by detecting that the processed object has passed through the exit of the processor 14. In this embodiment, the passing of a processed object through the exit of the processor 14 includes the passing of the trolley 20 on which the processed object is mounted through the exit of the processor 14. The discharge sensor 6 may also be a non-contact sensor that detects when the trolley 20 has passed through the exit of the processor 14 by emitting detection light.

[0037] The discharge sensor 6 is an example of a status sensor that detects when a processed object has been discharged from the processor 14 by detecting when the exit door 17 changes from a closed state to an open state or when the processed object has passed through the exit of the processor 14.

[0038] The exit sensor 7 detects whether or not the object to be processed is located in the discharge device 19. The exit sensor 7 is located in the discharge device 19. In this embodiment, the placement of the object to be processed in the discharge device 19 includes the placement of the trolley 20 on which the object to be processed is located in the discharge device 19. The exit sensor 7 may be a contact-type sensor that detects whether the trolley 20 is located in the discharge device 19 by contact with the trolley 20. The exit sensor 7 may be a non-contact-type sensor that detects whether the trolley 20 is located in the discharge device 19 by emitting detection light.

[0039] The exit sensor 7 is an example of a status sensor that detects when the processing target has been discharged from the processor 14 by detecting when the state in which the trolley 20 is not placed on the discharge device 19 changes from not being placed on the device to being placed on the device 19.

[0040] The interface panel 8 is located in the entrance room 21. The interface panel 8 is installed on the wall of the processor 14 facing the entrance room 21. The interface panel 8 includes an operating device and an notification device operated by the user. The interface panel 8 may also be located in the exit room 22. The interface panel 8 may also be installed on the wall of the processor 14 facing the exit room 22.

[0041] [controller] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a processing unit 1 according to an embodiment. The processing unit 1 includes a controller 30. The controller 30 outputs control commands to control the operation of the processing unit 1. The controller 30 includes a computer. The controller 30 has a processor 31 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory 32 including non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage 33. The functions of the controller 30 are stored in the storage 33 as a computer program. The processor 31 reads the computer program from the storage 33, loads it into the main memory 32, and executes processing according to the computer program. The computer program may be distributed to the controller 30 via a network.

[0042] The interface panel 8 is connected to the controller 30. The interface panel 8 includes an operating mode control device 81, a notification mode control device 82, a start control device 83, and a notification device 84.

[0043] The operating mode control device 81 is operated by the user to set the operating conditions for the processor 14. Before the processor 14 starts operating, the user operates the operating mode control device 81 to input the operating conditions for the processor 14 into the controller 30. By operating the operating mode control device 81, operating condition data indicating the operating conditions for the processor 14 is input into the controller 30. The operating conditions for the processor 14 include the processing conditions for the object to be processed by the processor 14. The processing conditions for the object to be processed include at least one of processing temperature, processing pressure, and processing time. If the processor 14 is a washer 141, the processing conditions include cleaning conditions. The cleaning conditions include at least one of cleaning temperature, cleaning pressure, and cleaning time. If the processor 14 is a sterilizer 142, the processing conditions include sterilization conditions. The sterilization conditions include at least one of sterilization temperature, sterilization pressure, and sterilization time. The user can input processing conditions by operating the operating mode control device 81, for example, according to the characteristics of the object to be processed.

[0044] The notification mode control device 82 is operated by the user to select the operating conditions for the notification device 84. The user operates the notification mode control device 82 to input the operating conditions for the notification device 84 into the controller 30. When the notification mode control device 82 is operated, operating condition data indicating the operating conditions for the notification device 84 is input into the controller 30.

[0045] The start operation device 83 is operated by the user to start the operation of the processor 14. The user operates the start operation device 83 to start the operation of the processor 14 after the trolley 20 carrying the items to be processed has been brought into the processor 14, the entrance door 16 and the exit door 17 have been closed, and the operating conditions for the operation of the processor 14 have been input to the controller 30 by operating the operation mode operation device 81. When the start operation device 83 is operated, an operation signal to start the operation of the processor 14 is input to the controller 30.

[0046] The notification device 84 operates to inform the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated. The notification device 84 may also be a buzzer sound output device that outputs a buzzer sound to inform the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated. The notification device 84 may also be a display device that displays display data to inform the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated. The notification device 84 may also be a lamp device that emits light to inform the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0047] The processor 31 includes an operation control unit 41, a determination unit 42, and a notification control unit 43. The storage 33 includes a memory unit 44.

[0048] The operation control unit 41 controls the entrance door 16 and the loading device 18 based on the detection data from the entrance sensor 2 and the processing unit sensor 4. When the entrance sensor 2 detects that a trolley 20 has been placed in the loading device 18, and the processing unit sensor 4 detects that no other trolleys 20 are placed inside the processing unit 14, the operation control unit 41 opens the entrance door 16 and then controls the loading device 18 so that the trolley 20 is loaded inside the processing unit 14. After the trolley 20 has been loaded inside the processing unit 14, the operation control unit 41 closes the entrance door 16.

[0049] Even if the entrance sensor 2 detects that a trolley 20 has been placed in the loading device 18, the operation control unit 41 will not load the trolley 20 located in the loading device 18 into the processing unit 14 if the processing unit sensor 4 detects that another trolley 20 is located inside the processing unit 14. The operation control unit 41 will load the trolley 20 located in the loading device 18 into the processing unit 14 if the processing unit sensor 4 detects that no other trolley 20 is located inside the processing unit 14.

[0050] The operation control unit 41 controls the exit door 17 and the unloading device 19 based on the detection data from the exit sensor 7. When the exit sensor 7 detects that the processing of the objects to be processed on the trolley 20 in the processing unit 14 has been completed and that no other trolleys 20 are placed in the unloading device 19, the operation control unit 41 opens the exit door 17 and then controls the unloading device 19 so that the trolleys 20 inside the processing unit 14 are unloaded. After the trolleys 20 have been unloaded from inside the processing unit 14, the operation control unit 41 closes the exit door 17.

[0051] Even after the processing of the items to be processed on the trolley 20 in the processor 14 is completed, the operation control unit 41 will not discharge the trolley 20 inside the processor 14 if the exit sensor 7 detects that another trolley 20 is positioned at the discharge device 19. The operation control unit 41 will discharge the trolley 20 inside the processor 14 if the exit sensor 7 detects that no other trolley 20 is positioned at the discharge device 19.

[0052] Since the loading device 18 automatically loads the trolley 20 into the processing unit 14, the user can leave the loading device 18 after placing the trolley 20 in it. Since the unloading device 19 automatically unloads the trolley 20 from inside the processing unit 14, the user does not need to wait in the exit chamber 22 for the processing of the trolley 20 to be completed in order to remove the trolley 20 from the processing unit 14.

[0053] The operation control unit 41 controls the operation of the processor 14. Controlling the operation of the processor 14 includes controlling the processor 14 to sequentially perform a predetermined number of work processes. The work processes of the processor 14 include a preparation process and a washing or sterilization process performed after the preparation process. The operation control unit 41 controls the operation of the processor 14 to perform the washing or sterilization process after the preparation process by receiving an operation signal from the start operation device 83.

[0054] If the processing device 14 is a washing device such as the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-037075, the preparation step includes storing a set amount of cleaning liquid in a cleaning liquid tank and pressurizing it to a set pressure, and storing a set amount of rinsing liquid in a rinsing liquid tank and pressurizing it to a set pressure. The washing step includes spraying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank onto the object to be processed from the washing nozzle of the washing tank to wash the object to be processed.

[0055] If the processor 14 is a steam sterilizer as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-122699, the preparation step includes preheating the sterilization tank when starting from a cold state, raising the temperature of the objects to be processed contained in the sterilization tank to a predetermined temperature, and removing the air inside the sterilization tank. The sterilization step includes supplying steam to the sterilization tank to sterilize the objects to be processed. If the processor 14 is a gas sterilizer as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-229034, the preparation step includes reducing the pressure of the sterilization tank and heating or humidifying it. The sterilization step includes supplying sterilization gas to the sterilization tank to sterilize the objects to be processed.

[0056] The determination unit 42 determines whether the state of the processor 14 satisfies the specified conditions for activating the notification device 84. The specified conditions are predetermined and stored in the storage unit 44. The determination unit 42 determines whether the specified conditions stored in the storage unit 44 are satisfied.

[0057] The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 42 determined that the specified conditions have been met. The predetermined time is a time set in advance.

[0058] [Required conditions] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the specified conditions according to the embodiment. The storage unit 44 stores a plurality of predetermined specified conditions. In this embodiment, the specified conditions stored in the storage unit 44 include a first specified condition, a second specified condition, a third specified condition, and a fourth specified condition. The user can select a specified condition for activating the notification device 84 from the plurality of specified conditions stored in the storage unit 44 by operating the notification mode operation device 82. The determination unit 42 determines whether at least one of the plurality of specified conditions stored in the storage unit 44 is satisfied based on the operation signal from the notification mode operation device 82. The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the specified conditions are satisfied.

[0059] <Condition 1> The first specified condition includes the loading of a new object to be processed into the processor 14 while the processor 14 is in a standby state where it can be started. If the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time despite a new object to be processed being loaded into the processor 14, it is assumed that the user has forgotten to operate the start operation device 83. If the determination unit 42 determines that a new object to be processed has been loaded into the processor 14, but the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, the notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0060] The standby state refers to a state in which the power supply of the processor 14 is turned on and the processor 14 can immediately start operation when the start operation device 83 is operated. As described above, the operation control unit 41 receives an operation signal from the start operation device 83 and controls the operation of the processor 14 so that the processor 14 performs a washing or sterilization process after the preparation process. In the standby state, when the start operation device 83 is operated, the processor 14 can immediately start the preparation process.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first defined condition includes the fact that, while the processor 14 is in a standby state after the operation has finished, an object to be processed has been removed from the processor 14 and a new object to be processed has been loaded into the processor 14. The determination unit 42 determines whether the first defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the loading sensor 3 and the loading sensor 6, which are examples of state sensors. The loading sensor 3 detects that a new object to be processed has been loaded into the processor 14. The loading sensor 6 detects that an object to be processed has been removed from the processor 14. After the object processed in the processor 14 has been loaded out from the inside of the processor 14, the exit door 17 is closed. After a new object to be processed has been loaded into the inside of the processor 14, and the entrance door 16 and exit door 17 have been closed, the start operation device 83 is operated, allowing the operation control unit 41 to start operating the processor 14. If a new object to be processed is brought into the processing unit 14, and the entrance door 16 and exit door 17 are closed, and the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, the notification control unit 43 will assume that the user has forgotten to operate the start operation device 83. The notification control unit 43 will activate the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0062] The determination unit 42 may determine whether the first defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the processor sensor 4, which is an example of a state sensor. The determination unit 42 may also determine whether the first defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the inlet sensor 2 and the outlet sensor 7, which are examples of state sensors.

[0063] The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 42 determined that the first specified condition is satisfied. The predetermined time related to the first specified condition may be any time between 1 second and 60 seconds.

[0064] <Second Provisional Conditions> The second specified condition includes the operation of the operation mode control device 81 while the processor 14 is in a standby state where it can be started. After a new object to be processed is brought into the processor 14, the user operates the operation mode control device 81 to input the operating conditions of the processor 14 to the controller 30. After operating the operation mode control device 81, the user operates the start control device 83 to start the operation of the processor 14. If the operation mode control device 81 is operated but the start control device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, it is considered that the user has forgotten to operate the start control device 83. If the determination unit 42 determines that the operation mode control device 81 has been operated but the start control device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, the notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start control device 83 has not been operated.

[0065] In this embodiment, the second defined condition includes the operation of the operation mode control device 81 while the entrance door 16 and the exit door 17 are closed. After a new object to be processed is brought into the processor 14 and the entrance door 16 and the exit door 17 are closed, the user operates the operation mode control device 81 to input the operating conditions for the processor 14 to the controller 30. The determination unit 42 determines whether the second defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the entrance sensor 3 and the exit sensor 6, which are examples of state sensors. After a new object to be processed is brought inside the processor 14 and the entrance door 16 and the exit door 17 are closed, the operation mode control device 81 is operated, and the operation control unit 41 sets the operating conditions for the processor 14 based on the operation signal from the operation mode control device 81. After the operating conditions for the processor 14 are set, the start control device 83 is operated, and the operation control unit 41 can start operating the processor 14. If a new object to be processed is brought into the processing unit 14, the entrance door 16 and the exit door 17 are closed, and after receiving an operation signal from the operation mode control device 81, the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, the notification control unit 43 will assume that the user has forgotten to operate the start operation device 83. The notification control unit 43 will activate the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0066] The determination unit 42 may also determine whether the second defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the processor sensor 4, which is an example of a state sensor. The determination unit 42 may also determine whether the second defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the inlet sensor 2 and the outlet sensor 7, which are examples of state sensors.

[0067] The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 42 determined that the second specified condition is satisfied. The predetermined time related to the first specified condition may be any time between 1 second and 60 seconds.

[0068] <Conditions under Section 3> The third specified condition includes the fact that the processor 14 has transitioned to a standby state where it can be started after the operation has finished. When the processor 14 finishes operation, it transitions to a standby state. That is, when the processor 14 finishes the washing or sterilization process, it transitions to a standby state. The processor 14 is often operated repeatedly. That is, after the processor 14 finishes the first operation and transitions to a standby state, it is often started a second operation. If the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined time despite the completion of the first operation, it is considered that the user has forgotten to operate the start operation device 83. If the determination unit 42 has determined that the first operation has finished and the processor has transitioned to a standby state, but the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined time, the notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0069] The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 42 determined that the third specified condition is satisfied. The predetermined time related to the third specified condition may be any time between 5 minutes and 30 minutes.

[0070] Furthermore, if the second operation is not performed after the first operation, the notification device 84 will activate when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operation ended and the system transitioned to the standby state, thereby preventing the trolley 20 from remaining inside the processor 14 after the first operation has ended. Also, if the power to the processor 14 is turned off after the first operation, the notification device 84 will activate when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operation ended and the system transitioned to the standby state, thereby preventing the user from forgetting to turn off the power.

[0071] <Conditions of the Fourth Provision> The fourth specified condition includes the interruption of the cleaning or sterilization process in the processor 14. While the cleaning or sterilization process is being carried out in the processor 14, the cleaning or sterilization process may be interrupted, for example, due to unforeseen circumstances. That is, the cleaning or sterilization process may be interrupted before the specified processing time (cleaning or sterilization time) is reached. If the cleaning or sterilization process is interrupted, the user must restart the operation of the processor 14 by operating the start operation device 83 in order to process (clean or sterilize) the object to be processed for the specified processing time. If the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time despite the cleaning or sterilization process being interrupted, the user is deemed to have forgotten to operate the start operation device 83. If the determination unit 42 determines that the cleaning or sterilization process has been interrupted, but the start operation device 83 is not operated for a predetermined period of time, the notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0072] The determination unit 42 determines whether the fourth specified condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the operation sensor 5. If, after it is determined based on the detection data of the operation sensor 5 that the cleaning or sterilization process has been interrupted, the start operation device 83 remains unoperated for a predetermined period of time, the notification control unit 43 assumes that the user has forgotten to operate the start operation device 83. The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated.

[0073] The notification control unit 43 activates the notification device 84 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 42 determined that the fourth specified condition is satisfied. The predetermined time related to the first specified condition may be any time between 1 second and 60 seconds.

[0074] [effect] As described above, the processing device 1, which is a cleaning or sterilization device, includes a determination unit 42 that determines whether the state of the processor 14 satisfies the specified conditions for activating the notification device 84, and a notification control unit 43 that activates the notification device 84 to notify the user that the start operation device 83 has not been operated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 42 determined that the specified conditions are satisfied.

[0075] According to this embodiment, even if the user forgets to operate the start control device 83, the notification device 84 will notify the user that the start control device 83 for starting the operation of the processing unit 1 has not been operated when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the specified conditions have been met. Therefore, the user can recognize that they should operate the start control device 83. Since the situation in which the start control device 83 is not operated is suppressed, the stagnation of processing in the processor 14 is suppressed, and the processing unit 1 is used efficiently.

[0076] In this embodiment, a first, second, third, and fourth specified condition is pre-stored in the storage unit 44 as specified conditions. The user can select any specified condition from the multiple specified conditions stored in the storage unit 44 by operating the notification mode operation device 82. The user can select any specified condition according to the usage status of the processing device 1. For example, if the user wants the notification device 84 to notify them that the start operation device 83 has not been operated after a new processing object has been brought into the processor 14, the user can operate the notification mode operation device 82 so that the first specified condition is selected. If the user does not want the notification device 84 to notify them that the start operation device 83 has not been operated after the operation mode operation device 81 has been operated, the user can operate the notification mode operation device 82 so that the second specified condition is not selected.

[0077] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the processor 14 are separate openings. Furthermore, the inlet door 16 for loading the object to be processed into the processor 14 and the outlet door 17 for unloading the object to be processed from the processor 14 are separate doors. The inlet and outlet of the processor 14 may be a single opening. That is, the object to be processed may be loaded into and unloaded from the processor 14 through a single opening. Alternatively, the inlet door 16 and the outlet door 17 may be a single door. The door for loading the object to be processed into or unloading the object to be processed may be a single door. If the door for loading the object to be processed into or unloading the object to be processed is a single door sensor (state sensor) that can detect when the object to be processed has been loaded into or unloaded from the processor 14 is sufficient. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1... Processing unit, 2... Inlet sensor, 3... Incoming sensor, 4... Processor sensor, 5... Operation sensor, 6... Outlet sensor, 7... Exit sensor, 8... Interface panel, 10... Processing facility, 11... Room 1, 12... Room 2, 13... Room 3, 14... Processor, 16... Inlet door, 17... Exit door, 18... Incoming device, 19... Outcoming device, 20... Trolley, 21... Entrance room, 22... Exit room, 30... Controller, 31... Processor, 32... Me In-memory, 33...Storage, 41...Operation control unit, 42...Determination unit, 43...Notification control unit, 44...Memory unit, 81...Operation mode control device, 82...Notification mode control device, 83...Start operation device, 84...Notification device, 141...Washer, 142...Sterilizer, 161...Entrance door, 162...Entrance door, 171...Exit door, 172...Exit door, 181...Loading device, 182...Loading device, 191...Loading device, 192...Loading device.

Claims

1. A processing unit that houses the object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed, A start operation device operated to initiate the aforementioned operation, A notification device that operates to notify that the start operation device has not been operated, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, A determination unit that determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met, The system includes a notification control unit that activates the notification device when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the aforementioned specified conditions were met, The aforementioned specified conditions include a first specified condition in which a new object to be processed is brought into the processor while the processor is in a standby state where it can start operation. Washing or sterilization equipment.

2. The first specified condition includes the fact that, in the standby state after the processing unit has finished operation, the object to be processed is removed from the processing unit and a new object to be processed is loaded into the processing unit. The cleaning or sterilization apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A door for loading the object to be processed into or out of the processing unit, The system includes a state sensor that detects when the object to be processed is brought into or removed from the processing unit, The determination unit determines whether or not the first defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data from the state sensor. The cleaning or sterilization apparatus according to claim 2.

4. A processing unit that houses the object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed, An operating mode operating device operated to set the aforementioned operating conditions, A start operation device operated to initiate the aforementioned operation, A notification device that operates to notify that the start operation device has not been operated, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, A determination unit that determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met, The system includes a notification control unit that activates the notification device when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the aforementioned specified conditions were met, The aforementioned specified conditions include a second specified condition in which the operating mode control device is operated while the processor is in a standby state where it can start operation. Washing or sterilization equipment.

5. The second specified condition includes that the operating mode control device is operated while the door for loading the object to be processed into or unloading it from the processor is closed. The system includes a state sensor that detects when the object to be processed is brought into or removed from the processing unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the second defined condition is satisfied based on the detection data from the state sensor. The cleaning or sterilization apparatus according to claim 4.

6. A processing unit that houses the object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed, A start operation device operated to initiate the aforementioned operation, A notification device that operates to notify that the start operation device has not been operated, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, A determination unit that determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met, The system includes a notification control unit that activates the notification device when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the aforementioned specified conditions were met, The aforementioned specified conditions include a third specified condition in which the processor transitions to a standby state in which it can start operation after the end of operation, Washing or sterilization equipment.

7. A processing unit that houses the object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed, A start operation device operated to initiate the aforementioned operation, A notification device that operates to notify that the start operation device has not been operated, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, An operation control unit that receives an operation signal from the start operation device and controls the operation so that the processor performs a washing or sterilization process after the preparation process, A determination unit that determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met, The system includes a notification control unit that activates the notification device when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the aforementioned specified conditions were met, The aforementioned specified conditions include a fourth specified condition in which the washing or sterilization process is interrupted. Washing or sterilization equipment.

8. The system includes an operating sensor that detects whether or not the aforementioned cleaning or sterilization process is being performed, The determination unit determines whether or not the fourth specified condition is satisfied based on the detection data of the driving sensor. The cleaning or sterilization apparatus according to claim 7.

9. A processing unit that houses the object to be processed and is operated to wash or sterilize the object to be processed, A start operation device operated to initiate the aforementioned operation, A notification device that operates to notify that the start operation device has not been operated, A notification mode operating device operated to select the operating conditions of the notification device, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, A memory unit that stores a set of predetermined conditions, A determination unit that determines whether or not at least one of a plurality of predetermined conditions stored in the storage unit is satisfied, based on the operation signal from the notification mode operation device, A notification control unit which activates the notification device when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when it is determined that the aforementioned specified conditions are satisfied, Washing or sterilization equipment.

10. The system includes an operating mode control device that is operated to set the conditions of the aforementioned operation, The aforementioned controller, The operation control unit receives an operation signal from the start operation device and controls the operation so that the processor performs a washing or sterilization step after the preparation step, The specified conditions stored in the memory unit include a first specified condition in which a new object to be processed is brought into the processor while the processor is in a standby state where it can start operation, a second specified condition in which the operation mode control device is operated while the processor is in the standby state, a third specified condition in which the processor transitions to the standby state after the operation has finished, and a fourth specified condition in which the washing or sterilization process is interrupted. The cleaning or sterilization apparatus according to claim 9.

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