Safety cabinet

Abstract

The present invention efficiently sterilizes a safety cabinet. An indoor exhaust type safety cabinet having two fans, a clean air supply fan to a working chamber and an exhaust fan to inside a clean room, wherein a sterilization mode changeover switch operated at the time of sterilization in the clean room or a changeover signal is provided, and a slit or an opening / closing type damper mechanism directly connected to an exhaust flow passage is provided in the upper part of the back surface of the working chamber.

Description

Biosafety cabinet

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety cabinet used in the development of pharmaceuticals, research on pathogens, and cell manipulation in regenerative medicine.

[0002] Safety cabinets are used when handling pathogens such as viruses in research on pathogens and in the development of pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, as well as for tasks such as cell observation and culture medium changes in cell culture for regenerative medicine.

[0003] One example of a safety cabinet is Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a safety cabinet that has an intake filter and an exhaust filter installed at the top of the work space and an openable front shutter installed at the front of the work space. Air flowing in through the opening of the front shutter and air that has passed through the intake filter pass through a slit at the front bottom of the work space or a slit at the rear bottom of the work space and is sucked in by a fan. The air pushed out by the fan passes through the intake filter or exhaust filter to purify the air.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-122816

[0005] Safety cabinets are used in a variety of fields. One example of their use is in the field of regenerative medicine, where cell culture is performed. In this field, preventing cross-contamination is particularly important.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a surface sterilization method using ultraviolet light irradiation with a germicidal lamp installed in the working space of a safety cabinet, but does not consider sterilization of areas not exposed to ultraviolet light or sterilization including the air circulation path.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable efficient sterilization of a safety cabinet by introducing sterilizing gas used to sterilize a clean room into the safety cabinet.

[0008] An indoor exhaust type safety cabinet that has a sterilization mode changeover switch or changeover signal that is operated during sterilization inside the clean room, and has a slit at the top back of the working chamber that directly connects to the exhaust flow path, or an open / close damper mechanism.

[0009] According to the present invention, sterilizing gas is introduced into the safety cabinet during clean room sterilization, and the working space of the safety cabinet and the circulation exhaust path can be efficiently disinfected or sterilized.

[0010] Further means and effects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the entire specification below.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a cross section B-B of FIG. 4 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a cross section A-A of FIG. 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing control in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a cross section A-A of FIG. 3 in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a cross section A-A of FIG. 3 in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing control in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front view of a safety cabinet of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a side view of a safety cabinet of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an example of a sterilization mode selector switch. FIG. 14 is an example of a sterilization mode selector switch. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a safety cabinet and a clean room of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a safety cabinet and a clean room of the present invention.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as needed.

[0013] 3 is a front view of the safety cabinet of the present invention. Reference numeral 100 denotes the safety cabinet. Reference numeral 10 denotes an upper housing, 11 denotes a side housing, 12 denotes a front housing, 13 denotes a lower housing, 20 denotes legs, and 21 denotes an upper duct.

[0014] A decorative cover 123 may be formed integrally with the upper housing 10 or may be formed as a movable cover integral with the front shutter 103 made of transparent plastic or glass.

[0015] Reference numeral 104 denotes a working opening defined as the space between the front housing 12 and the underside of the front shutter 103 .

[0016] The safety cabinet of the present invention is an indoor exhaust type, so that the exhaust air from the safety cabinet 100 is exhausted indoors as exhaust air 114.

[0017] 3 is characterized by the inclusion of a sterilization mode changeover switch 124. The role of this sterilization mode changeover switch 124 will be described later.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the safety cabinet of FIG.

[0019] Figure 1A is a schematic explanatory diagram of the cross section B-B in Figure 4, showing the cross section of the safety cabinet as seen from the front side. Since this is a diagram for the purpose of explaining the concept of the invention, some details are omitted and, more precisely, parts that are not in the relevant positions are also depicted.

[0020] Reference numeral 101 denotes a work table, 102 denotes a work space, and 113 denotes a blown-out air current. Circulating air introduced by an air supply fan 106 driven by an air supply fan motor 200 passes through a straightening plate 500 as necessary and is purified by an air supply HEPA filter 111 to become a blown-out air current 113. After passing through the work space 102, the blown-out air current passes through the return flow path of the safety cabinet 100 and is sucked in again by the air supply fan 106. Reference numeral 116 denotes a germicidal lamp, and 119 denotes a circulation slit.

[0021] A part of the airflow introduced by the air supply fan 106 passes through an exhaust HEPA filter 110 to be purified, and is then discharged into the room from an exhaust port 108 as exhaust air 114 .

[0022] Figure 1B is a schematic explanatory diagram of the cross section A-A in Figure 3, showing the cross section of the safety cabinet as seen from the side. Since this is a diagram for the purpose of explaining the concept of the invention, some details are omitted and, more precisely, parts that are not in the relevant positions are also depicted.

[0023] Inside the safety cabinet 100, a work space 102 is arranged, the front of which is constituted by a front shutter 103. The underside of the work space 102 is made up of a work table 101, and a front slit 104a is arranged on the work table 101 on the front shutter 103 side. A work opening 104 is formed below the front shutter 103. When the safety cabinet's air supply fan 106 is operated, the upper chamber 109 is pressurized. A blow-out HEPA filter 111 is connected to the upper chamber 109, and dust inside the upper chamber 109 is filtered by the blow-out HEPA filter 111. The purified air is blown out and rectified by a blow-out rectifying plate 107 (not shown), before being supplied into the work space 102 as a blow-out airflow 113.

[0024] An exhaust HEPA filter 110 is also connected to the upper chamber 109. Air from the air supply fan 106 is filtered by the exhaust HEPA filter 110. It then passes through the exhaust port 108 of the safety cabinet and is exhausted from the safety cabinet 100 as exhaust air 114. An amount of air equal to the air exhausted from the safety cabinet 100 enters the safety cabinet 100. This air is the inflow airflow 112 drawn in from the work opening 104 below the front shutter 103. The inflow airflow 112 is sucked into the front slit 104a together with a portion of the blown airflow 113 from the work space 102. This air passes through the exhaust circulation path 117 below the work table 101, is sucked in from the rear slit 105a formed on the opposite side of the front shutter 103 of the work space 102 together with a portion of the blown airflow 113, passes through the rear path 105, and is sucked into the air supply fan 106 of the safety cabinet. As a result, the incoming airflow 112 from the work opening 104 is discharged without stagnating in the work space 102, and therefore acts as an air barrier for the incoming airflow 112 from the work opening 104. Reference numeral 105a denotes a rear slit, and 115 denotes an illumination lamp.

[0025] One example of the use and purpose of the safety cabinet is to handle dust and aerosols containing pathogens, etc., in the work space 102. In such cases, dust and aerosols containing pathogens, etc., will also be present in the back path 105 and the upper chamber 109. When air is supplied to the work space 102 and when air is exhausted from the safety cabinet 100, this dust and aerosols are removed by the blow-out HEPA filter 111 and the exhaust HEPA filter 110.

[0026] An operator sits in front of the safety cabinet 100, inserts his / her arm into the work space 102 through the work opening 104, and performs work while looking inside the work space 102 through the front shutter 103. At this time, brightness is ensured by illuminating the work space 102 with lighting from the illuminating lamp 115. In such a safety cabinet, the operator uses the front shutter with an opening specified by the manufacturer, for example, a 200 mm opening.

[0027] When work is finished, the work table 101 is wiped clean with disinfectant ethanol or the like, the front shutter 103 is closed, and the germicidal lamp 116 is turned on for a certain period of time to sterilize the surface of the work table 101. However, surface sterilization by ultraviolet irradiation from the germicidal lamp 116 is insufficient for sterilizing areas not exposed to ultraviolet light, and for sterilizing and disinfecting the exhaust gas circulation path 117 as well.

[0028] Therefore, in order to achieve more powerful sterilization and disinfection, it is possible to install a hydrogen peroxide gas generator in the clean room when necessary and introduce the hydrogen peroxide gas generated from it into the safety cabinet 100, thereby enabling more powerful sterilization and disinfection of the safety cabinet 100.

[0029] 6 shows an example in which the safety cabinet 100 of the present invention is installed inside a clean room 400, and a hydrogen peroxide gas generator 900 is installed therein. Reference numeral 401 denotes a wall surface of a service room on the periphery of the clean room.

[0030] During indoor sterilization of the clean room 400, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gas generated by the hydrogen peroxide gas generator 900 is drawn into the safety cabinet 100 as the inflow airflow 112 through the work opening 104 in the safety cabinet 100 shown in FIG. 1B. At this time, the drawn-in hydrogen peroxide gas passes through the front slits 104a and the like and is sucked into the air supply fan 106. Therefore, as part of the air flow within the safety cabinet 100, the inhaled hydrogen peroxide gas passes through the outlet HEPA filter 111 or the exhaust HEPA filter 110 one or more times. This allows the hydrogen peroxide gas to be distributed throughout the entire safety cabinet 100, including the upper chamber 109.

[0031] Glass filter media may be used as an example of a HEPA filter material. Filter media can also be referred to as filter material. In particular, in this case, because the filter media adsorbs a small amount of hydrogen peroxide gas, the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration decreases each time it passes through the HEPA filter. This reduces sterilization efficiency and increases the sterilization time required. Furthermore, after sterilization, the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration must be reduced to a level that does not adversely affect the human body or the samples being handled. When air is circulated and passed through the HEPA filter, the hydrogen peroxide gas adsorbed on the filter media gradually re-emits, so it may take time to reduce the concentration to the desired level. For example, the entire sterilization process may need to be performed overnight.

[0032] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to further reduce the time required for this series of sterilization steps. Here, the role of the sterilization mode changeover switch 124 described in Figure 3 will be explained.

[0033] The sterilization mode selector switch 124 is used to cause the safety cabinet 100 to perform an operation different from normal operation during sterilization work. The sterilization mode selector switch 124 enables the air volume of the air supply fan 106 to be switched between normal operation and normal operation.

[0034] First, normal operation will be described. During normal use of the safety cabinet 100, approximately 70% of the air from the air supply fan 106 passes through the outlet HEPA filter 111, becoming outlet airflow 113 and circulating through the work space 102. The remaining approximately 30% passes through the exhaust HEPA filter 110 and is discharged outside the safety cabinet 100 as exhaust air 114. The proportion of the circulating airflow in the total air volume is called the circulating air rate, and in the above case, the circulating air rate is approximately 70%. This corresponds to a Type A2 cabinet specified in JIS K 3800 Biohazard Class 2 Cabinets.

[0035] In order to control the proportion of this blown air with higher precision, an exhaust fan that blows air toward the exhaust HEPA filter 110 may be installed in addition to the intake fan 106, and the output ratio, operation ratio, rotation speed ratio, air flow rate ratio, drive frequency ratio, etc. of the intake fan and the exhaust fan may be controlled.

[0036] During sterilization inside the clean room, the air volume of the air supply fan 106 is switched using a sterilization mode selector switch 124 provided on the safety cabinet 100. The air volume can be switched, for example, by using the multi-speed operation function of the inverter provided inside the decorative cover 123 to switch the contacts built into the inverter, thereby changing the fan output frequency.

[0037] By turning on the sterilization mode changeover switch 124, the circulation air rate is changed to, for example, 30%.

[0038] By turning on the sterilization mode selector switch 124, the airflow rate is changed to, for example, 30% of the rated airflow rate. This causes air in the work space 102 to be sucked in through the circulation slit 119 located close to the air supply fan 106, forming the airflow indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1B . A portion of the inflow airflow 112 flowing in from the work opening 104 flows directly into the work space 102, and this air becomes an airflow that is introduced to the return side not only through the front slit 104a but also through the rear slit 105a and the circulation slit 119. Therefore, the high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gas generated in the clean room flows directly into the work space 102 and work table 101, which are sterile operation areas, before passing through the HEPA filter, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency of the contaminated work space 102.

[0039] Furthermore, a fan filter unit equipped with a HEPA filter is usually installed on the ceiling of the clean room, and circulates air from top to bottom within the clean room. The increase in exhaust air 114 also contributes to strengthening the circulation of air within the clean room.

[0040] Both of these measures will improve the air circulation efficiency throughout the clean room, preventing air from stagnating during indoor sterilization, which could prevent proper sterilization, and preventing hydrogen peroxide gas from settling and condensing on materials, which could lead to corrosion.

[0041] Furthermore, as a contribution to the clean room side, a safety cabinet having a function of agitating the sterilizing gas in the clean room can be provided.

[0042] In addition, a safety cabinet can be provided that promotes air circulation in the clean room by using the inflow airflow and exhaust air into the safety cabinet, thereby increasing the sterilization efficiency of the clean room and helping to sterilize equipment in the clean room in a short period of time.

[0043] 5A shows an example of the sterilization mode changeover switch 124. There are a sterilization selection button 240, a normal operation selection button 241, and a stop button 242, which are designed to be exclusively selected.

[0044] The sterilization mode changeover switch 124 may be configured as one button for normal and stop, and another button for sterilization.

[0045] When the sterilization button is pressed or the sterilization mode is selected, it is desirable that the color of the button or display change, for example, to light up red, so that it can be easily confirmed that the device is in a special operating state that is different from normal.

[0046] Furthermore, it is desirable that the sterilization mode be given priority when selecting the mode, and that when the sterilization button is pressed or when the sterilization mode is selected, the operating state is forcibly switched to the sterilization mode.

[0047] The sterilization mode changeover switch 124 may be configured as a physical switch or as a screen selection switch such as a touch panel.

[0048] 5B shows another example of the sterilization mode changeover switch 124. A toggle switch 250 is used to set the sterilization, stop, or normal mode.

[0049] Fig. 5C shows another example of the sterilization mode selector switch 124. In Fig. 2C, the entire sterilization mode selector switch 124 is configured as a touch panel. Each time the mode selection 260 is pressed, the operator can make settings while checking the operation mode information 261 displayed next to it, the selected mode information, etc.

[0050] Furthermore, the use of a touch panel allows for the registration of a large number of modes, making it possible to register modes more suited to the purpose of use and the situation. In Fig. 5C, the operation mode information 261 indicates that the operation mode is sterilization operation and that the fan is operating at 30%. The actual operation of the exhaust fan and intake fan changes depending on the selection and setting made with the sterilization mode selector switch 124.

[0051] Figure 1C is an explanatory diagram showing how the operation of the air supply fan 106 is controlled based on instructions from the sterilization mode selector switch 124. Note that the control in Figure 1C is merely one example, and any control method or form in which the operation mode is ultimately changed by operating the sterilization mode selector switch 124 is included in the scope of this explanation.

[0052] Mode selection information 210 is transmitted to inverter controller 202. This transmission may be wireless or wired. Inverter controller 202 transmits an instruction to operate supply fan 106 to supply fan inverter 203. Supply fan inverter 203 generates motor drive output 220 corresponding to the received operation information, and drives supply fan motor 200, which drives supply fan 106.

[0053] In FIG. 1C, the inverter controller 202 is illustrated as being separate from the sterilization mode selector switch 124, but the sterilization mode selector switch 124 may have the inverter controller 202 built in.

[0054] In addition, the air supply fan inverter 203 may be integrated with the air supply fan motor 200 .

[0055] The inverter controller 202 may be equipped with a PLC (programmable controller) and configured with a program.

[0056] The air volume may be changed by switching the fan output frequency by using the multi-speed operation function of the inverter provided inside the decorative cover 123 and switching the contacts built into the inverter.

[0057] An example of control suitable for sterilization operation is to reduce the air circulation rate, as described above. To achieve this, the rotation speed of the air supply fan 106 and the inverter frequency are reduced, thereby reducing the amount of air supplied by the air supply fan 106.

[0058] Instead of reducing the rotation speed or inverter frequency of the air supply fan 106, the effective circulation rate can be reduced by intermittent operation. In this case, a pulse wave can be formed in the circulating air inside the safety cabinet, rather than simply reducing the rate. This allows the hydrogen peroxide to attack contaminants adhering to the interior with pressure waves, thereby quickly neutralizing the contaminants. Conversely, during diffusion operation, the pressure wave attack on the HEPA filter can promote the diffusion of hydrogen peroxide remaining in the HEPA filter.

[0059] Alternatively, in the early stages of the sterilization process, the circulation rate may be significantly reduced to actively introduce hydrogen peroxide gas from the clean room into the safety cabinet 100, and then the reduction in the circulation rate may be lessened to promote circulation within the safety cabinet 100. This is because the time that high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gas remains in the work space 102 will be longer, further improving the sterilization efficiency.

[0060] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1. The difference is that the sterilization mode changeover switch 124 in embodiment 1 is installed outside the clean room 400 as shown in Figure 7, making it possible to switch the operation mode of the safety cabinet 100 by remote control from outside.

[0061] This eliminates the need for an operator to enter the clean room 400 to operate the device. Furthermore, it is possible to add an operation function for the hydrogen peroxide gas generator 900 to the sterilization mode selector switch 124, which allows for more efficient sterilization mode setting for the entire clean room.

[0062] This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment. Figures 2A and 2B are views corresponding to Figure 1B. The difference from Figure 1B is that a damper mechanism 120 is provided. Reference numeral 120a denotes a hinge for rotating the damper plate, which is an example of the damper mechanism 120. Figure 2A is a view showing the damper mechanism 120 in a closed state, and Figure 2B is a view showing the damper mechanism 120 in an open state.

[0063] In this embodiment, during the sterilization mode, the circulation slit 119 can be opened by a damper mechanism 120 provided at the upper rear surface of the working space 102. The damper mechanism 120 can be realized by providing a mechanism that stops the damper at a predetermined angle using a stepping motor, or by a mechanism that opens the damper when a push pin is manually pressed. In this case, for example, the motor or stepping motor may be configured to be linked to or integrated with a hinge.

[0064] During normal operation as shown in Fig. 2A, i.e., when the damper mechanism is closed, an airflow is formed as shown by the arrows in Fig. 2A. The output air from the air supply fan 106 is purified by the outlet HEPA filter 111 and blown down into the working space 102. Because the damper mechanism 120 is closed and the circulation slit 119 is blocked, the blown down air is introduced into the rear path 105 and the exhaust circulation path 117 through the rear slit 105a and the front slit 104a.

[0065] In the sterilization mode shown in Figure 2B, i.e., when the damper mechanism 120 is opened, the operation of the air supply fan 106 causes air to be sucked from the working space 102 through the circulation slit 119, forming the airflow indicated by the arrows in Figure 2B. When the damper mechanism 120 is opened, the exhaust circulation path 117 below the damper mechanism 120 is significantly restricted, thereby reducing the airflow. In other words, at least a portion of the return-side flow path is blocked by the damper mechanism 120. This state can also be expressed as the cross-sectional area of ​​the return-side flow path being reduced, or the opening area of ​​the return-side flow path being reduced.

[0066] As a result, most of the air in the inflow airflow 112 flowing in from the work opening 104 flows directly into the work space 102, and the inflowing air becomes an airflow that flows out through the circulation slit 119. Therefore, the high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gas generated in the clean room flows directly into the work space 102 and work table 101, which are sterile operation areas, before passing through the HEPA filter, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency of the contaminated area. It is further desirable to leave a small gap between the damper mechanism 120 and the back of the safety cabinet 100 so that the exhaust circulation path 117 below the damper mechanism 120 can also be sterilized at the same time.

[0067] When the sterilization mode is selected or the sterilization mode changeover switch 124 is turned ON, the air volume may be controlled in the same manner as in Example 1. For example, the air volume may be changed to 30% of the rated air volume.

[0068] Figure 5D shows an example of the sterilization mode selector switch 124. When the sterilization mode is selected, the damper mechanism 120 opens as shown in Figure 2B, creating an airflow as shown by the arrow in Figure 2B. This improves the sterilization efficiency of the contaminated area. Figure 5D shows an example in which multiple damper opening degrees can be selected by setting various modes. Of course, two values, open and closed, are also acceptable. However, allowing multiple selections makes it possible to control the degree of damper opening depending on, for example, the cumulative usage time of the safety cabinet 100, enabling detailed responses such as whether to prioritize the introduction of hydrogen peroxide gas toward the contaminated area at the back or the work space side.

[0069] As another example of the sterilization mode changeover switch 124, the switch may correspond to FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, in which case the damper opens in the sterilization mode.

[0070] Fig. 2C is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1C. A damper opening / closing signal 221 from the sterilization mode changeover switch 124 commands the operation of a motor that is configured integrally with or operates in conjunction with the hinge 120a, for example, to open or close the damper.

[0071] Furthermore, when generating the pressure pulse wave described in the first embodiment, the damper may be opened and closed multiple times over time, and the degree of opening and closing of the damper may be controlled over time.

[0072] Furthermore, the techniques of the first and third embodiments may be combined and implemented simultaneously.

[0073] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 2. The difference is that the function of the sterilization mode changeover switch 124 in embodiment 2 is incorporated into a smartphone device, a tablet device, or a remote monitoring system. This improves the flexibility and convenience of device operation.

[0074] The above examples illustrate the ideas and concepts of the present invention. Of course, the scope of the present invention also includes examples that are realized by combining the examples. Furthermore, as long as the disclosed ideas and concepts are used, any modifications or similar examples are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] Furthermore, one example of the present invention described using the above embodiments can also be expressed as follows.

[0076] <1> An indoor exhaust type safety cabinet that has a sterilization mode changeover switch or changeover signal that is operated during sterilization inside the clean room, and has a slit at the top of the back of the work chamber that directly connects to the exhaust flow path, or an open / close damper mechanism.

[0077] <2> The safety cabinet according to <1>, wherein the circulating air rate is reduced during the sterilization mode.

[0078] <Item 3> The safety cabinet according to item <Item 1>, wherein the open / close damper mechanism opens the shielding of the slit that directly leads to the exhaust flow path during the sterilization mode.

[0079] <Item 4> The safety cabinet according to item <Item 3>, wherein the open / close damper mechanism blocks at least a portion of the return-side flow path during the sterilization mode.

[0080] <No. 5> The safety cabinet according to <No. 4>, wherein the return-side flow path is not completely blocked even when the open / close damper mechanism is open during the sterilization mode.

[0081] <Item 6> The safety cabinet according to <Item 4>, wherein the opening / closing ratio of the open / close damper mechanism can be set by the sterilization mode changeover switch or the changeover signal.

[0082] <No. 7> The safety cabinet according to <No. 4>, wherein the state of the open / close damper can be displayed on the sterilization mode changeover switch.

[0083] <No. 8> The safety cabinet according to any one of <No. 1> to <No. 7>, wherein the sterilization mode selector switch allows selection of three modes: sterilization, normal, and stop.

[0084] <No. 9> In the safety cabinet according to <No. 8>, the sterilization mode changeover switch is configured as a touch panel.

[0085] <Item 10> The safety cabinet according to any one of Items 1 to 7, wherein the open / close damper is intermittently opened and closed during the sterilization mode.

[0086] <11> The safety cabinet according to <10>, wherein the opening / closing interval or the degree of opening / closing of the open / close damper is changed according to time.

[0087] <12> The safety cabinet according to <11>, wherein the opening rate of the open / close damper is significantly increased in the early stage of the sterilization work, and thereafter the opening rate of the open / close damper is relaxed.

[0088] <No. 13> The safety cabinet according to <No. 1>, wherein the safety cabinet receives sterilization mode information from a sterilization mode changeover switch provided outside the clean room.

[0089] <No. 14> A sterilization system comprising the safety cabinet according to <No. 13>, wherein the sterilization mode changeover switch provided outside the clean room also has a function of issuing instructions to a hydrogen peroxide gas generator.

[0090] <No. 15> The safety cabinet according to <No. 1>, wherein the safety cabinet receives the sterilization mode information from a smartphone device, a tablet device, or a remote monitoring system.

[0091] 10: Upper housing 11: Side housing 12: Front housing 13: Lower housing 20: Legs 100: Safety cabinet 101: Work table 102: Work space 103: Front shutter 104: Work opening 104a: Front slit 105: Rear path 105a: Rear slit 106: Air intake fan 107: Blowout straightening plate 108: Exhaust port 109: Upper chamber 110: Exhaust HEPA filter 111: Blowout HEPA filter 112: Inlet airflow 113: Blowout airflow 114: Exhaust air 115: Light 116: Sterilizing lamp 117: Exhaust circulation path 119: Circulation slit 120: Damper mechanism 120a: Hinge 123: Decorative cover 124: Sterilization mode selector switch 200: Air intake fan motor 202: Inverter controller 203: Inverter for air supply fan 210: Mode selection information 220: Motor drive output 221: Damper open / close signal 240: Sterilization selection button 241: Normal operation selection button 242: Stop button 250: Toggle switch 260: Mode selection area 261: Operation mode information 400: Clean room 401: Service room wall 500: Rectifier plate 900: Hydrogen peroxide gas generator

Claims

1. An indoor exhaust type safety cabinet that has a sterilization mode changeover switch or changeover signal that is operated during sterilization inside the clean room, and has a slit at the top back of the working chamber that directly connects to the exhaust flow path, or an open / close damper mechanism.

2. A safety cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the air circulation rate is reduced during the sterilization mode.

3. A safety cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the open / close damper mechanism opens the shielding of the slit that directly leads to the exhaust flow path during the sterilization mode.

4. A safety cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the open / close damper mechanism blocks at least a portion of the return flow path during the sterilization mode.

5. A safety cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the return flow path is not completely blocked even when the open / close damper mechanism is open during the sterilization mode.

6. A safety cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the opening / closing ratio of the open / close damper mechanism can be set by the sterilization mode changeover switch or the changeover signal.

7. A safety cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the state of the open / close damper can be displayed on the sterilization mode changeover switch.

8. A safety cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sterilization mode selector switch allows selection of three modes: sterilization, normal, and stop.

9. A safety cabinet according to claim 8, wherein the sterilization mode changeover switch is configured as a touch panel.

10. A safety cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the open / close damper is opened and closed intermittently during the sterilization mode.

11. A safety cabinet according to claim 10, wherein the interval between opening and closing of the open / close damper or the degree of opening and closing is changed according to time.

12. A safety cabinet as claimed in claim 11, in which the opening rate of the open / close damper is increased significantly in the early stage of the sterilization process, and then the opening rate of the open / close damper is relaxed.

13. A safety cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety cabinet receives sterilization mode information from a sterilization mode changeover switch provided outside the clean room.

14. A sterilization system comprising the safety cabinet according to claim 13, wherein the sterilization mode changeover switch provided outside the clean room also has the function of issuing a command to a hydrogen peroxide gas generator.

15. The safety cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the safety cabinet receives the sterilization mode information from a smartphone device, a tablet device, or a remote monitoring system.

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