Patent Publication Number: US-2012045365-A1

Title: Steam sterilization apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2010/002452, filed Apr. 20, 2010 and published in Korean as WO 2010/131846 on Nov. 18, 2010. This application claims the benefit and priority of Korean Application No. 10-2009-0040929, filed May 11, 2009, Korean Application No. 10-2009-0040930, filed May 11, 2009 and Korean Application No. 10-2009-0040933, filed May 11, 2009 The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a steam sterilization apparatus, and more particularly, to a steam sterilization apparatus in which a crack in a vaporization space is minimized to achieve maximized water vaporization efficiency and to reduce the size of the apparatus, and which prevents liquid phase water from being sprayed at an early stage of operation of the apparatus to achieve a steam sterilization effect from the early stage of operation of the apparatus. 
     Discussion 
     In general, a steam sterilization apparatus represents an apparatus that achieves a sterilization effect by mixing liquid chemical with sprayed steam and a representative steam sterilization apparatus which is known in the related art will be described below. 
       FIG. 1  is an overall configuration diagram showing “Spray Apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a “steam sterilization apparatus in the related art”)” of Korean Patent Registration No. 712639. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the steam sterilization apparatus in the related art includes a water container  101  storing water therein, a pump  102  drawing out water from the water container  101 , a boiler  201  heating the water drawn out from the pump  102  to convert the heated water into steam, a steam spray nozzle  301  for spraying the steam acquired through the boiler  201  to the outside, a liquid chemical container  402  storing liquid chemical therein, and a liquid chemical nozzle  400  for discharging liquid chemical from the liquid chemical container  402 . 
     Further, the water container  101  and the pump  102  are connected to each other by a first water supply pipe  100 , the pump  102  and the boiler  201  are connected to each other by a second water supply pipe  200 , and the boiler  201  and the steam spray nozzle  301  are connected to each other by a steam pipe  300 , and the liquid chemical nozzle  400  is connected with the liquid chemical container  402  by a liquid chemical supply pipe  401 , and a direction changing valve  500  is installed at the second water supply pipe  200 , such that the second water supply pipe  200  is divided into a discharge pipe  602  and a boiler water supply pipe  601  that are connected to the pump  102  around the direction changing valve  500  and the direction changing valve  500  and the water container  101  are connected to each other by a return pipe  501 . 
     In addition, the steam spray nozzle  301  and the liquid chemical nozzle  400  are placed close to each other while forming an angle of 90° with each other, such that as steam is sprayed through the steam spray nozzle  301  at high pressure, pressure in the vicinity of the steam spray nozzle  301  is sharply decreased, and as a result, the steam and the liquid chemical are mixed with each other to be sprayed in a gaseous state while the liquid chemical is discharged to the outside through the liquid chemical nozzle  400  in a Ventura method. 
     However, in the case of using the steam sterilization apparatus in the relate art, problems to be described below occur. 
     First, the boiler  201  is not heated at an initial stage of operation of the steam sterilization apparatus not to heat water that flows into the boiler  201  to be discharged through the steam spray nozzle  301  in a liquid phase, and as a result, a problem in which a sterilization effect through the steam in the initial stage of operation cannot be achieved occurs. 
     Second, het generated from the boiler  201  while using the steam sterilization apparatus is rapidly transferred to the pump through the second water supply pipe  200  made of a metallic material, such that the pump  102  is easy to be damaged due to the transfer heat and a pulsation phenomenon occurs in water moved as the pump  102  operates, such that the steam is irregularly sprayed. 
     Third, a space provided in the boiler  201  to heat the water that flows in from the water container, i.e., a vaporization passage is constituted by one heat wire pole, such that generation efficiency of the steam is deteriorated and the boiler  201  having the structure has a large volume to cause the entire volume of the steam sterilization apparatus to be increased, such that mobility of the steam sterilization apparatus is deteriorated. 
     Fourth, since the liquid chemical container for storing the liquid chemical is provided in the steam sterilization apparatus as a fixed type, all the liquid chemical should be discharged by turning over a body of the sterilization apparatus in order to replace or clean the liquid chemical and when existing liquid chemical is not completely discharged, liquid chemical to be replaced is mixed with liquid chemical that remains in the liquid chemical container are mixed with each other to generate a toxic material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, in order to solve all the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam sterilization apparatus capable of preventing liquid phase water from being sprayed at an initial stage of operation by preheating a heater block in reoperation by collecting water remaining in the heater block to a water container after operation and allowing the water to flow into the heater block. 
     Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam sterilization apparatus capable of achieving maximized vaporization efficiency and reducing the size of the steam sterilization apparatus by forming a multi-stage vaporization space in which a crack in a heater block is minimized. 
     In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam sterilization apparatus capable of easily replacing and cleaning liquid chemical by removably configuring a liquid chemical container mounted in the steam sterilization apparatus. 
     An steam sterilization apparatus according to the present invention includes: a case forming a main body, a water container arranged in an inner rear portion of the case to store water; a liquid chemical container arranged behind the water container to store a liquid chemical; a nozzle assembly which is arranged in an inner front portion of the case and which includes a steam nozzle for receiving water from the water container and spraying water to the outside and a liquid chemical nozzle for receiving a liquid chemical from the liquid chemical container and discharging the liquid chemical to the outside; a water supply pipe which interconnects the water container and the steam nozzle; a liquid chemical supply pipe which interconnects the liquid chemical container and the liquid chemical nozzle; a heater block interposed between the water supply pipe and the steam nozzle to heat and vaporize the water supplied through the water supply pipe; a pump installed at the water supply pipe to apply pressure to the water in the water container and to supply water to the heater block through the water supply pipe; and a control unit which controls the operation of the pump and of the heater block. 
     In a steam sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, by recollecting water remaining in a heater block to a water container while stopping a pump and a heater block after operation, water is prevented from being sprayed as a liquid phase in reoperation to achieve a sterilization effect through steam from an initial stage of operation and the steam can be sprayed constantly by preventing a pulsation phenomenon from occurring in water moved through a water pressure balancing unit capable of constantly maintaining water pressure in operation. 
     Further, in the steam sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the steam can be continuously sprayed with a constant discharge rate as evaporation efficiency of passing water is maximized by minimizing a crack of a vaporization space formed in the heater block and the size of the steam sterilization apparatus can be reduced by decreasing the volume of the heater block, such that it is easy to carry and move the steam sterilization apparatus. 
     In addition, in the steam sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, by configuring a liquid chemical container storing liquid chemical to be attached to or detached from a case of the steam sterilization apparatus, it is easy to replace and clean the liquid chemical. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus in the related art. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an external configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus taken along line x-x shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a heater block configuring the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heater block taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a transverse cross-sectional view of a heater block taken along line B-B shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged diagram of part C shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view specifically showing a configuration of main parts of the steam sterilization apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a water pressure balancing unit shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the water pressure balancing unit shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an external configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus taken along line x-x shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a case  10  forming a main body, a water container  1  arranged in an inner rear portion of the case  10  to store water, a liquid chemical container  2  arranged behind the water container  1  to store a liquid chemical; a nozzle assembly  26  which is arranged in an inner front portion of the case  10  and which includes a steam nozzle  6  for receiving water from the water container and spraying water to the outside and a liquid chemical nozzle  21  for receiving a liquid chemical from the liquid chemical container  2  and discharging the liquid chemical to the outside; a water supply pipe  11  which interconnects the water container  1  and the steam nozzle  6 , a liquid chemical supply pipe  22  which interconnects the liquid chemical container  2  and the liquid chemical nozzle  21 ; a heater block  9  interposed between the water supply pipe  11  and the steam nozzle  6  to heat and vaporize the water supplied through the water supply pipe  11 ; a pump  12  installed at the water supply pipe  11  to apply pressure to the water in the water container  1  and to supply water to the heater block  9  through the water supply pipe  11 ; and a control unit  3  which controls the operation of the pump  12  and of the heater block  9 . 
     The case  10  forms an outer appearance of the steam sterilization apparatus and includes the nozzle assembly  26 , the heater block  9 , the pump  12 , the control unit  3 , the water container  1 , and the liquid chemical container  2 . Further, an operating unit  17  for controlling the operation of the control unit  3  is installed in an upper front portion of the case  10  and a handle unit  18  of which both sides are opened is installed in an upper middle portion to achieve use convenience. 
     In addition, a liquid chemical container receiving unit  15  for mounting the liquid chemical container  2  is installed in the inner rear portion of the case  10  and a lower portion of the case  10  where the liquid chemical container receiving unit  15  is installed is opened and includes a cable mounting space  14  capable of receiving a power cable  80 . 
     A liquid chemical container receiving space  15   a  for mounting the liquid chemical container  2  is formed in the liquid chemical container receiving unit  15  and an upper cover unit  16  opened and closed through a front hinge portion  161  is formed in an upper portion of the liquid chemical container receiving space  15   a  to supply water to the water container  1  and attach or detach the liquid chemical container  2 . Herein, the liquid chemical container receiving space  15   a  is opened to expose at least one side of the liquid chemical container  2  to the outside to check the amount of a liquid chemical remaining in the liquid chemical container  2  during using the steam sterilization apparatus. 
     The steam nozzle  6  constituting the nozzle assembly  26  is connected to the heater block  9  at an inlet thereof to spray water heated at a high temperature in the heater block  9  in a steam state and the liquid chemical nozzle  21  is connected to the liquid chemical supply pipe  22  at an inlet thereof and connected to the liquid chemical container  2  to discharge the liquid chemical to the outside. In this case, an outlet of the liquid chemical nozzle  21  is placed close to an outlet of the steam nozzle  6  to be perpendicular to each other, such that as steam is sprayed through the outlet of the seam nozzle  6  at a high pressure, a pressure in the vicinity of the liquid chemical nozzle  21  is rapidly decreased to discharge the liquid chemical to the outside through the outlet of the liquid chemical nozzle  21  in a Ventura method. 
     The heater block  9  includes a main body  90  with a vaporization passage  5  vaporizing water that flows thereinto while moving the water to an upper portion and a pair of heater plates  42  installed at both sides of the body  90  to vaporize the water in the vaporization passage  5  by heating the body  90 . The heater block  9  heats the water that flows thereinto from the water container  1  through the water supply pipe  11  to the steam state and a detailed configuration of the heater block  9  will be described in detail through descriptions of  FIGS. 4 to 7 . 
     Further, the pump  12  is installed in the water supply pipe  11  and applies a pressure to the water supply pipe  11  by operating according to a control signal transmitted from the control unit  3  to enable the water moving in the water supply pipe  11  to flow into the heater block  9 . 
     Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the heater block which is the characteristic configuration of the steal sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a mounting structure of the liquid chemical container will be described in more detail. 
     Heater Block 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a heater block configuring the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heater block taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6  is a transverse cross-sectional view of a heater block taken along line B-B shown in  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 7  is an enlarged diagram of part C shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the heater block  9  includes the body  90  which has heater plate insertion grooves  93  formed on both sides thereof to be buried with a predetermined depth and the vaporization passage  5  receiving water through the water supply pipe  11 , which is formed therein, and a pair of heater plates  42  inserted into the heater plate insertion grooves  93  formed on both sides of the body  90  to vaporize the water that flows into the vaporization passage  5  by heating the water. Further, a pair of spring plates  43  are inserted into the pair of heater plate insertion grooves  93 , respectively to strongly fix the heater plates  42  by pressing outer portions of the heater plates  42  inserted into the heater plate insertion grooves  93 . 
     In addition, the vaporization passage  5  formed in the body  90  includes multi-stage horizontal passages  51  in which a rear portion of a lowermost end is opened and a front portion of an uppermost end is opened and a plurality of vertical communication holes  52  interconnecting the multi-stage horizontal passages  51  in a vertical direction. 
     The water supply pipe  11  is connected to an opened portion of the horizontal passage  51  positioned at the lowermost end and the steam nozzle  6  is connected to an opened portion of the horizontal passage  51  positioned at the uppermost end among the multi-stage horizontal passages  51 . 
     Further, in each horizontal passage  51 , a center shaft  53  is provided at the center in a longitudinal direction with a predetermined distance from an inner diameter of the horizontal passage  51  and a vaporization space  54  where water is vaporized on an outer periphery of the center shaft  53  and an inner periphery of the horizontal passage  51  is formed, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . In this case, a plurality of protruded portions  511  and buried portions  531  are formed in the horizontal passage  51  and the center shaft  53  in the longitudinal direction to increase a vaporized area of water. By this configuration, the size of the steam sterilization apparatus can be minimizing by reducing the volume of the heater block  9  while vaporization efficiency of water can be maximized by minimizing a crack in the vaporization passage  54 , and the amount of steam sprayed to the outside can be sufficiently ensured, such that steam can be sprayed without cut-off of the steam. 
     In the body  90  of the heater block  9 , a steam temperature sensor  7  provided in an upper portion of one of the vertical communication holes  52  to sense the temperature of steam in the vaporization passage  5  and output the sensed temperature to the control unit  3  may be additionally installed. 
     In addition, an upper buried groove  92  including both projection  921  formed longitudinally at front and rear portions is further provided in the upper portion of the body  90  of the heater block  9  as shown in  FIG. 4  and a block temperature sensor  8  which senses the total temperature of the heater block  9  and outputs the sensed temperature to the control unit  3  is mounted on the buried groove  92 . 
     The control unit  3  appropriately controls the operation of the heater plate  42  by using information outputted through the steam temperature sensor  7  and the block temperature sensor  8  to generate steam by effectively heating the water moving in the vaporization passage  5 , and prevent power from being unnecessarily lost while preventing the heater block  9  from being excessively overheated and damaged. 
     Further, horizontal fixing bars  81  for fixing the heater block  9  to the case  10  of the steam sterilization apparatus are installed at both sides of the block temperature sensor  8  in the heater block  9  and a plurality of fixing grooves  91  for fixing the heater block  9  to the case  10  of the steam sterilization apparatus are installed at both upper sides and a bottom of the body  90  of the heater block  9 . 
     Liquid Chemical Container 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and is described in association with  FIG. 3 . 
     In the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water container  1  received therein is fixedly mounted on the inside of the case  10  and the liquid chemical container  2  storing the liquid chemical is mounted on the inside of the case  10  to be attachable or detachable as described above. 
     Water such as ion water is stored in the water container  1  and a protruded pipe  31  opened eccentrically in an upper rear direction, i.e., a direction in which the liquid chemical container  2  is mounted is formed in the water container  1 . A helix portion  311  is formed in an outer diameter of the protruded pipe  31 . 
     Further, a press plug  32  joined to the helix portion  311  of the protruded pipe  31  to close the protruded pipe  31  is coupled to the water container  1 . In this case, one portion of the press plug  32  joined to the helix portion  311 , i.e., a portion contacting the water container  1  is broad to press an upper portion of the liquid chemical container  2  mounted in the rear portion of the water container  1 , thereby preventing the liquid chemical container  2  mounted on the liquid chemical container receiving unit  15  from being removed. 
     An inlet (not shown) having a predetermined size is formed so as to inject the liquid chemical into the liquid chemical container  2  and an upper plug  24  is coupled to the inlet to be closed. Further, a buried groove  202  is formed on a bottom of the liquid chemical container  2  to be inserted and coupled to a protruded portion  204  formed in the liquid chemical container receiving unit  15 , such that the liquid chemical container  2  is fixed to the inside of the case  10 . In this case, groove portions having predetermined heights are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the protruded portion  204  and an inner peripheral surface of the buried groove  202 , such that the liquid chemical container  2  can be more strongly fixed to the inside of the case  10 . 
     Further, since the liquid chemical container  2  is mounted in the liquid chemical container receiving unit  15  with at least the rear portion of the liquid chemical container  2  exposed to the outside as shown in  FIG. 8 , the amount of the liquid chemical remaining in the liquid chemical container  2  during using the steam sterilization apparatus can be checked in real time, and as a result, the liquid chemical can be quickly supplemented depending on the amount of the remaining liquid chemical. 
     An operational relationship of the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described below. 
     First, when the apparatus is operated by user&#39; operation, the control unit  3  operates the heater plate  42  to increase the temperature of the body  90  of the heater block  9  according to an operation signal and operates the pump  12  provided in the water supply pipe  11  to allow the water stored in the water container  1  to flow into the vaporization passage  5  formed in the body  90  of the heater block  9  through the water supply pipe  11 . 
     The water that flows into the vaporization passage  5  in the body  90  flows into the vaporization space  54  of the horizontal passage  51  positioned on the lowermost end to be vaporized and moves to the horizontal passage  51  positioned on the uppermost end through the vertical communication hole  52  that interconnects the horizontal passages  51  in the vertical direction as the water is vaporized to be sprayed to the outside through the steam nozzle  6  connected to a front end of the horizontal passage  51  at the high pressure by an internal pressure of the vaporization passage  54 . 
     In this case, while the steam is sprayed to the outside through the steam nozzle  6  at the high pressure, the pressure in the vicinity of the steam nozzle  6  is quickly decreased, and as a result, the liquid chemical is discharged from the liquid chemical nozzle  21  vertically arranged and fixed to the steam nozzle  6  in the Ventura method and mixed with the steam to be sprayed to the outside. 
     When the liquid chemical is short or needs to be replaced during using the steam sterilization apparatus, the steam sterilization apparatus is stopped by using the operating unit  17  and the liquid chemical container  2  is removed from the case  10  by opening the upper cover unit  16 , and thereafter, the liquid chemical container  2  may be supplemented with the liquid chemical or the present liquid chemical may be replaced with other types of liquid chemicals. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a steam sterilization apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 10  is a side view specifically showing a configuration of main parts of the steam sterilization apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a water pressure balancing unit shown in  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the water pressure balancing unit shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The steam sterilization apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a case  10  forming a main body, a water container  1  arranged in an inner rear portion of the case  10  to store water, a liquid chemical container  2  arranged behind the water container  1  to store a liquid chemical; a nozzle assembly  26  which is arranged in an inner front portion of the case  10  and which includes a steam nozzle  6  for receiving water from the water container  1  and spraying water to the outside and a liquid chemical nozzle  21  for receiving a liquid chemical from the liquid chemical container  2  and discharging the liquid chemical to the outside; a water supply pipe  11  which interconnects the water container  1  and the steam nozzle  6 , a liquid chemical supply pipe  22  which interconnects the liquid chemical container  2  and the liquid chemical nozzle  21 ; a heater block  9  interposed between the water supply pipe  11  and the steam nozzle  6  to heat and vaporize the water supplied through the water supply pipe  11 ; a pump  12  installed at the water supply pipe  11  to apply pressure to the water in the water container  1  and to supply water to the heater block  9  through the water supply pipe  11 ; and a control unit  3  which controls the operation of the pump  12  and of the heater block  9 , and the water supply pipe  11  further includes a solenoid valve  110  connected to the water container  1  through a drain pipe  112  in order to recollect the water remaining in the heater block  9  to the water container  1  after the operation of the steam sterilization apparatus is terminated. Further, a heat dissipating pipe  111  for preventing heat generated from the heater block  9  from being transferred to the water supply pipe  11  may be additionally provided at a connection portion between the water supply pipe  11  and the heater block  9 . 
     The exemplary embodiment has the same configuration as the first exemplary embodiment except for the configuration of the solenoid valve  110  connected to the water supply pipe  2 . 
     Further, in the exemplary embodiment, a phenomenon in which the water remaining in the heater block  9  flows down in a liquid phase when the steam sterilization apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment reoperates is solved by connecting the solenoid valve  110  to the water supply pipe  11 . 
     The solenoid valve  110  operates according to a control signal transferred from the control unit  3  to supply water to the vaporization passage  5  of the heater block  9  or collect the water in the heater block  9  to the water container  1 . 
     A detailed operation of the solenoid valve  110  will be described below. 
     First, when the steam sterilization apparatus operates in an initial stage, the solenoid valve  110  is opened for a predetermined time by receiving the operation signal from the control unit  3  and the pump  12  operates to collect the water moving along the water supply pipe  11  to the water container  1  through the drain pipe  112  for the predetermined time when the solenoid valve  110  is opened to prevent the water from flowing into the heater block  9  during the heater block  9  is preheated. After the predetermined time elapses, when the heater block  9  is sufficiently heated to vaporize the water that flows in, the solenoid valve  110  is closed to allow the water moving along the water supply pipe  11  to flow into the vaporization passage  5  in the heater block  9 . 
     Second, after the operation of the steam is terminated, the solenoid valve  110  is opened for the predetermined time by receiving the operation signal from the control unit  3  and thereafter, closed like the above case. In this case, the water remaining in the vaporization passage  5  of the heater block  9  is collected to the water container  1  through the drain pipe  112  for the opened time. After the predetermined time elapses, when the water in the heater block  9  is collected to the water container  1  through the drain pipe  112 , the solenoid valve  110  is closed to prevent the water from flowing backwards from the water container  1 . 
     The above operation can further reduce the preheating time of the heater block  9  when the steam sterilization apparatus operates and can be further reduced through the above operation and it is possible to prevent the liquid phase water that flows out as it is in the initial operation from deteriorating a sterilization effect. 
     The heat dissipating pipe  111  is configured by a coil type and as a heat dissipation area is extended, the heat transferred from the heater block  9  is dissipated rapidly to prevent the solenoid valve  110  or the pump  12  from being damaged due to the transfer heat transferred through the water supply pipe  11  made of a metallic material. 
     Further, a pipe block  130  may be installed in the water supply pipe  11 , each of a water pressure balancing unit  140  and a depressurizing unit  150  may be installed in the pipe block  130 , and the solenoid valve  110  may also be installed in the pipe block  130 . 
     The water pressure balancing unit  140  is configured to prevent a pulsation phenomenon generated due to the operation of the pump  12  and is configured by a balancing portion  144  mounted on a hole  142  formed in the pipe block  130  and receiving the water supplied to the heater block  9  to remove pulsation. 
     The balancing unit  144  includes a fixation body  145  fixed to the hole  142  and having upper and lower portions which are opened, a diaphragm  147  placed on the top of the fixation body  145 , an elastic body  149  placed on the top of the diaphragm and having a plurality of vertical grooves  143  formed on the top surface thereof to have a plurality of small-sized diaphragms  141  formed on a contact surface with the diaphragm  147 , and a cover body  148  protecting the diaphragm  147  and the elastic body  149 , and the cover body  148  is fixed and coupled to the fixation body  145  through a bending portion  146  formed on an upper circumference of the fixation body  145 . Herein, the diaphragm  147  receives the water that flows into the pipe block  130  to balance the pressure and the elastic body  149  secondarily balances the pressure of the water balanced primarily in the diaphragm  147  to prevent the pulsation phenomenon from occurring in the water moving through the water supply pipe  11 , thereby uniformly spraying the steam through the steam nozzle  6 . 
     The depressurizing unit  150  is installed in the pipe block  130  and controls the pressure to match the pressure of the pump  12  to serve to supply the water at the most ideal pressure. 
     That is, the depressurizing unit  150  includes a depressurization discharge pipe  152  which is in communication with the pipe block  130 , a depressurizing valve  154  provided at an outlet of the depressurization discharge pipe  152  and setting a depressurization degree of water pressure, and a water collecting pipe  156  interconnecting the depressurizing valve  154  and the water container  1 . 
     Hereinafter, an operational relationship of the steam sterilization apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described. 
     In the case where sterilization is performed by using the steam sterilization apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is first operated by user&#39;s operation, the control unit  3  increases the temperature of the heater plate  42  by applying power to the heater block  9  according to an operation signal, operates the pump  12  installed in the water supply pipe  11 , and opens the solenoid valve  110  for a predetermined time and thereafter, closes the solenoid valve  110 . 
     Therefore, for a time (approximately 7 seconds) when the solenoid valve  110  is opened, air and water filled in the pipe block  130  flows into the drain pipe  112  through the solenoid valve  110  to be collected to the water container  1  and the body  90  of the heater block  9  is preheated to vaporize the water rapidly. 
     Thereafter, when the solenoid valve  110  is closed, the water that flows into the pipe bock  130  passes through the water supply pipe  11  and the heat dissipating pipe  111  by the pressure of the pump  12  to flow into the vaporization passage  5  in the preheated body  90  and rapidly vaporized in the preheated vaporization passage  5  to be sprayed to the outside through the steam nozzle  6  by its own pressure. 
     By this method, a time when the steam is first sprayed from the steam sterilization apparatus can be reduced. 
     Next, vacuum pressure is applied to the upper portion of the liquid chemical nozzle  21  placed close in a direction perpendicular to the front portion of the steam nozzle  6  while the steam is sprayed through the steam nozzle  6  and the liquid chemical stored in the liquid chemical container  2  is discharged through the liquid chemical nozzle  21  via the liquid chemical supply pipe  22  due to the vacuum pressure applied to the upper portion of the liquid chemical nozzle  21  and the discharged liquid chemical is mixed with the steam sprayed through the steam nozzle  6  to be sprayed to the outside. 
     Meanwhile, after the operation of the steam sterilization apparatus is terminated, the pump  12  and the heater block stop according to the operation signal of the control unit  3  and the solenoid valve  110  is opened for a predetermined time and thereafter closed. 
     In this case, for the time when the solenoid valve  110  is opened, the pressure of the water remaining in the vaporization passage  5  is increased due to remaining heat of the heater block  9  and the water with the increased pressure flows backwards to pass through the solenoid valve  110  and thereafter, flows into the water container  1  through the drain pipe  112 . Thereafter, when the water remaining in the vaporization passage  5  is collected to the water container  1 , the solenoid valve  110  is closed to prevent the water stored in the water container  1  from flowing backwards through the drain pipe  112  again. 
     By this method, it is possible to prevent the liquid phase water from being sprayed as it is in advance when the steam sterilization apparatus reoperates. 
     A steam sterilization apparatus according to the present invention is configured to mix different fluids and spray the mixed fluids to be used in service industries such as cleaning or sterilization or a painting industry. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.