JP3092766B2 - Automatic water rehydration equipment for photo processing machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic rehydration device for a photographic processing device (hereinafter simply referred to as a rehydration device). More specifically, the present invention relates to a water replenishing apparatus that detects that the treatment liquid level has dropped to a position requiring water replenishment (hereinafter referred to as a water replenishment reference position) for each treatment tank and automatically replenishes water for each treatment tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photographic processor includes a film processor for developing a photographed film and a paper processor for printing the developed film on photographic paper (paper) to develop the paper. Both processors have multiple processing tanks containing processing liquids for color development, bleaching, fixing, stabilization, etc., and each processing liquid has a temperature sensor so that development processing is performed at the optimal temperature. , And a constant temperature by a heater or the like. Therefore, each processing solution such as a developing solution and a fixing solution evaporates due to the heating or spontaneously, so that the concentration of the processing solution may be increased and the quality of a photograph may be reduced.

Therefore, in order to keep the concentration of the processing solution constant, it is necessary to appropriately replenish water in each processing tank.

Conventionally, a float type hydrometer which senses the specific gravity of the processing liquid and floats and sinks, and issues a warning when the specific gravity of each processing liquid changes (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-118238), There is a method in which water is replenished by estimating the amount of evaporating water in each processing tank from the water level of a monitor water tank formed transparent so that the water surface can be observed from the outside (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-254959).

[0005]

However, the density sensor such as the above-mentioned float type hydrometer is expensive and complicated, and there is a problem that the use of the density sensor increases initial cost.

[0006] Among a plurality of processing tanks, such as one using a monitor water tank, one having a single monitored processing tank is:
Since the liquid level of each treatment tank is not checked, there is a possibility that water is replenished even to the tank where the liquid level has not dropped, and it is checked visually by the operator whether the water is actually replenished in all tanks There is a problem that must be followed.

Further, even if there is an abnormality such as a processing liquid leak in the processing tank, water replenishment is started without being detected, and as a result, there is a problem that serious damage is caused.

In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention detects the level of the processing solution in each processing tank, and performs water replenishment for each processing tank. An object of the present invention is to provide a water refilling device that can detect an abnormality in a tank and has a low initial cost.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic water refilling device according to the present invention is an automatic water refilling device for a photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material having a plurality of processing tanks, wherein the level of the processing solution is replenished. A water replenishment liquid level detection mechanism for detecting that it is at the reference position and a water replenishment mechanism for performing water replenishment are provided in each treatment tank, and a control mechanism for controlling the water replenishment mechanism is provided. , when during the specified predetermined time the rehydration liquid level detection mechanism liquid level of the processing liquid is continued to detect that the rehydration reference position, Ru is configured to instruct the refill starts the rehydration mechanism Together with
Rehydration can be performed even when the liquid level of the liquid is not at the rehydration reference position.
As described above, for a certain period of time
The water replenishing mechanism is configured to instruct water replenishment .

[0010] It is preferable that the control mechanism is configured to be able to set a water replenishing amount and a water replenishing time for each treatment tank.

[0011]

Further, it is preferable that the control mechanism is configured to instruct the water replenishing mechanism to refill the water for a predetermined time specified at the time of turning on the power.

In addition, the control mechanism may be configured to determine whether the photosensitive material is being processed in at least one of the processing liquid tanks, the processing liquid has overflowed in one or more processing tanks, the waste liquid processing, the abnormality of the water replenishment operation. It is preferable that the water replenishment mechanism be instructed to prohibit water replenishment at the time or when specified otherwise.

Further, when there are a plurality of processing tanks in which the control mechanism detects that the liquid level of the processing liquid is at the reference position for rehydration, the control mechanism simultaneously supplies the plurality of processing tanks requiring rehydration. Alternatively, it is preferable that the water replenishing mechanism is instructed to replenish water in a specified fixed order.

[0015] The water refilling mechanism includes a water refilling tank,
A water transfer mechanism provided on a water channel connecting the water refilling tank and each of the treatment tanks, wherein the water refilling tank has a water refilling tank remaining quantity detecting mechanism, and the water refilling tank remaining quantity detecting mechanism has a water quantity of the water refilling tank. It is preferable that the control mechanism be provided with an alarm mechanism for issuing an alarm for the water refill tank when it is detected that the pressure is equal to or less than the set value.

Further, the control mechanism includes an alarm mechanism for issuing a treatment tank alarm when it is detected that the level of the treatment liquid in the same treatment tank is again at the reference position for rehydration within a designated time after the completion of the rehydration. Preferably, it is provided.

Further, the control mechanism may include an alarm mechanism for issuing a processing tank alarm when it is detected that the liquid level of the processing liquid has not yet reached the specified liquid level when water refilling has been continued for a specified time. Preferably, it is provided.

[0018]

In the water refilling device of the present invention, a water replenishing liquid level detecting mechanism and a water replenishing mechanism are provided for each of the processing tanks, and the water level of each of the processing tanks is independently detected to perform water replenishment. The control mechanism starts rehydration when the rehydration liquid level detection mechanism detects that the liquid level of the treatment liquid is at the rehydration reference position, and replenishes water while adjusting the rehydration amount and the rehydration time for each treatment tank. Control.

When the rehydration liquid level detecting mechanism simultaneously detects the need for water replenishment in a plurality of treatment tanks, water replenishment is simultaneously performed in the treatment tanks requiring rehydration, or one replenishment tank is provided in a designated order. Water can be replenished in the treatment tank at a time.

At the start of operation inspection, water refilling can be performed for a specified fixed time even if the rehydration liquid level detecting mechanism does not detect the need for rehydration.

Even if the water replenishing liquid level detecting mechanism detects the need for water replenishment, when the photosensitive material is being processed in each processing tank, when the processing liquid overflows in one or more processing tanks, When an abnormality occurs in the waste liquid treatment or water replenishment operation, or in other specified situations, control can be performed so that water replenishment is not performed.

Further, after the rehydration is completed, if the rehydration liquid level detecting mechanism detects the need for rehydration again within a certain period of time, the control mechanism is controlled so as to issue a warning that it is abnormal.

Further, when the remaining amount of the water refill tank storing the water to be supplied to each of the treatment tanks becomes low, the water refill tank remaining amount detecting mechanism detects this, and the control mechanism can be controlled to issue a water refill tank alarm.

[0024]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of one embodiment of the water refilling device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water refilling device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the water refilling device of the present invention. .

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 to 6 denote treatment tanks, and rehydration liquid level detecting mechanisms A1 to A6 are attached to the treatment layers 1 to 6, respectively. The rehydration mechanism includes a rehydration tank 7 and a transfer mechanism P1 connected from the rehydration tank 7 to each of the treatment tanks 1 to 6.
To P6. Further, the control mechanism receives signals from the rehydration liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 and gives signals to the transfer mechanisms P1 to P6.
C comprising a keyboard 9, a display 10, and a ROM 14
PU11. In addition, each processing tank 1-6
Is connected to a waste liquid tank 13 for discarding each processing liquid, and each of the processing layers 1 to 3 is connected to a replenishing tank 15 for replenishing each processing liquid.

Further, the control mechanism is provided with an alarm mechanism for issuing a water tank alarm, a treatment tank alarm or a waste liquid tank alarm according to a signal from each detection mechanism.

Each of the processing tanks 1 to 6 is, for example, a processing tank 1 for performing color development of a film or paper, a processing tank 2 is a tank for performing bleaching and fixing of a film or paper, and processing tanks 3 to 6. Reference numeral 4 denotes a tank for stabilizing a film or paper. Each of the processing tanks 1 to 6 has a built-in heater (not shown) for keeping the processing liquid at an appropriate temperature, and in each of the processing tanks 1 to 6, a rack holding a delivery roller for circulating a film or paper is provided. (Not shown) are provided.

The rehydration liquid level detecting mechanisms A1 to A6 include, for example, a built-in reed switch, a float switch for turning on a switch by a float or the like which rises when the amount of liquid increases, or two electrodes in the processing liquid. broth,
It is possible to use a detection mechanism using an electrode that checks the presence or absence of the processing liquid by turning on and off the current when the current flows in the processing liquid. The rehydration liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 by the float switch are mounted so as to be turned off when the liquid level of the treatment liquid reaches the rehydration reference position. Is controlled by the control mechanism to be started.

The water replenishment amount and the water replenishment time of the water replenishment mechanism can be set for each treatment tank. For example, the water replenishment operation is continued for several seconds after the water replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 are turned on from off to rise as the water level rises. It is controlled to stop automatically when it is done.

Further, when the power switch 8 is turned on at the start of operation or at the end of inspection, the CPU 11 of the control mechanism determines that the liquid level of the treatment liquid is not at the water replenishment reference position (the water replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 are on). Water replenishment is carried out for a certain period of time (even in the condition of the above). For example, when the power switch 8 is turned on, it can be controlled so that the water in each processing tank is replenished for several seconds. In addition, it is preferable that the water replenishment at the time of the start-up inspection is not essential, and is controlled so that the user can select it.

After the rehydration is completed as described above, the rehydration of the same treatment tank is performed again for a specified period of time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour after the rehydration liquid level detection mechanism is switched from off to on). Liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6
When is turned off, the control mechanism instructs the alarm mechanism to issue a processing tank alarm. In addition, even if the rehydration operation is performed for a certain period of time (for example, 20 seconds), the control mechanism instructs to issue a processing tank alarm even when the rehydration liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 are not switched from off to on. . The warning may be a warning sound such as a buzzer or a display using a warning lamp. Further, the abnormality may be displayed on the display 10 of the CPU 11.

The transfer mechanisms P1 to P6 are for transferring the water stored in the water refill tank 7 to the respective processing tanks 1 to 6, and based on a signal from the CPU 11 of the control mechanism, the drive unit 12 controls the water refill tank. 7 to 1
6 is driven to perform water replenishment. Usually, each processing tank 1
No. 6 to 6 are separately controlled and water is not simultaneously supplied to two or more treatment tanks. However, when the water replenishment liquid level detection mechanism is turned off simultaneously in a plurality of processing tanks (that is, when it is detected that water replenishment is necessary), the CPU 11 of the control mechanism, for example, performs processing tank 1 → processing tank 2 → processing tank 3 → processing Tank 4 → Processing tank 5 →
The transfer mechanisms P1 to P6 are controlled such that water is replenished one by one in the order of the processing tank 6 and the processing tank 1, or the water is replenished simultaneously only in the processing tanks that require rehydration. In the present embodiment, a pump is used as the transfer mechanisms P1 to P6.
It is also possible to arrange the transfer pipe above and below by using a solenoid valve or the like to open and close the transfer pipe.

The refill tank 7 is provided with a refill tank remaining amount detecting mechanism B for detecting when the amount of water stored in the refill tank 7 becomes low. The water refill tank remaining amount detection mechanism B is connected to the CPU 11 of the control mechanism, and issues a water refill tank alarm when detecting that the water storage amount of the water refill tank 7 is small. If the warning is issued during rehydration, the water is replenished to the treatment tank to the end and no water is replenished to the other treatment tanks.

As the water replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism B, a float switch or a detection mechanism using electrodes is used as in the water replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6. The float switch is mounted below the refill tank 7 and is turned off when the liquid level approaches the bottom surface, and issues a refill tank alarm. The alarm mechanism may be a warning sound such as a buzzer or a warning lamp. Further, it may be displayed on the display 10 of the CPU 11.

The waste liquid tank 13 is provided with a waste liquid tank full detecting mechanism D for detecting that the waste liquid tank is full. Then, when the waste liquid tank 13 becomes full, the control mechanism issues a waste liquid tank alarm and instructs not to refill water. Then, when the waste liquid in the waste liquid tank 13 is discarded and the empty waste liquid tank 13 is set at the original position, the waste liquid tank alarm is released. If the warning is issued during rehydration, the shortage of the scheduled rehydration time is stored, the rehydration of the treatment tank during the rehydration is resumed, and the rehydration is stopped after replenishment for the insufficient time. It is also possible. For example, in a treatment tank set to rehydrate for 4 seconds,
If rehydration is stopped by an alarm when rehydration is performed for 2 seconds, control is performed so that rehydration for the remaining 2 seconds is performed after the alarm is released.

The replenishing tanks 15 are provided in accordance with the respective processing tanks 1 to 3, and are provided with a replenishing tank remaining amount detecting mechanism E for detecting when the amount of the replenishing solution in each replenishing tank 15 becomes small. The replenishment tank remaining amount detecting mechanism E is connected to the CPU 11 of the control mechanism. When it detects that the replenishing tank has a small amount of replenishing solution, the processing of the photosensitive material is completed, and then the replenishing solution is replenished.

As the replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism E, a detection mechanism using a float switch or an electrode or the like is used similarly to the rehydration liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6. The float switch is mounted below the refill tank 15, and turns off when the liquid level approaches the bottom surface, and issues a refill tank alarm. This alarm mechanism may be displayed by a warning sound such as a buzzer or a warning lamp. The information may be displayed on the display 10 of the CPU 11.

Further, a predetermined processing tank, for example, 1, 2, 6
Are provided with treatment liquid level lower limit detection mechanisms C1, C2, and C6 at appropriate positions below the rehydration liquid level detection mechanisms A1, A2, and A6. When the liquid level of the treatment liquid falls below the above-mentioned position, this is detected and an alarm is issued to the treatment tank so that the water is not refilled.

Processing liquid level lower limit detection mechanism C1, C2, C6
As the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6, a detection mechanism using a float switch or an electrode is used as the waste liquid tank fullness detection mechanism D.

In the following cases, the control mechanism is controlled so as not to perform water refilling even if the rehydration liquid level detecting mechanisms A1 to A6 detect the need for rehydration. That is, when the photosensitive material is processed in each of the processing solution tanks 1 to 6, when the processing solution is drained in one or more processing tanks, the waste liquid tank 13 becomes full and the waste liquid tank alarm is issued. When the water refill tank 7 is emptied and the water refill tank alarm is issued, when the water refill tank 7 is emptied, and when the water refill tank alarm is issued, the specified condition other than the above-mentioned condition , Etc.).

Even if the power is turned off, the water refilling operation is stopped.

Next, based on FIG. 2, the contents detected by each detection mechanism and an example of the operation after the detection will be briefly described. Note that the description will be made in correspondence with (1) to (8) in the figure.

First, while the film or paper is being processed, the rehydration mechanism is not operating, and the rehydration pump is stopped (1).

If the above processing has not been performed, the rehydration liquid level detecting mechanisms A1
When A6 does not detect a rise in the liquid level, a processing tank abnormality alarm is issued and the rehydration pump is stopped (2).

The water refilling tank remaining amount detecting mechanism B is used for the water refilling tank 7
When it is detected that the amount of water is low, a rehydration tank alarm is issued and the rehydration pump stops (3).

When the waste liquid tank full detecting mechanism D detects that the waste liquid tank 13 is full of waste liquid, a waste liquid tank alarm is issued and the rehydration pump stops (4).

When the replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism E is the replenishment tank 1
If the light-sensitive material has been processed when it is detected that the replenisher in 5 is low, the replenisher is further insufficient. The shortage of the replenisher is converted into a replenishment pump operating time, and
After the processing of the photosensitive material is completed, the shortage of the replenisher is replenished by the transfer mechanism (RP1, RP2, RP3). During the replenishment of the replenisher for the short time, the rehydration pump is stopped (5).

Processing liquid level lower limit detection mechanism C1, C2, C6
However, when detecting that the level of the processing liquid is lower than the set lower limit, a processing tank alarm is issued and the water refill pump does not operate (6).

The detecting operation by the rehydration liquid level detecting mechanisms A1 to A6 is started, for example, when it is detected that the rehydration liquid level has dropped due to the float switch being turned on from off and the float switch being turned on from off. The replenishment liquid level detection mechanism detects a drop in rehydration liquid level again within a certain time after the completion of rehydration, and then issues a treatment tank abnormality alarm and the rehydration pump operates (7). No (8).

If no abnormality is detected, processing of the next film or paper is started.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control mechanism connected to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 determines whether or not to perform water replenishment after the power switch 8 is input via the keyboard 9 in advance, how many seconds to consider an abnormality after the water replenishment is continued if no rise in the liquid level is detected, and how many seconds to replenish water in each treatment tank. Alternatively, setting items such as how many hours it takes to detect a drop in the rehydration liquid level after completion of rehydration are determined to be abnormal or how many seconds to replenish the shortage of replenisher. During the operation of the processor, detection signals from the detection mechanisms A1 to A6, B, C1, C2, C6, D, and E are input to the CPU 11. The drive unit 12 drives the transfer mechanisms (including P1 to P6 and RP1 to RP3) based on the detection signal and the instruction of the setting item, and issues an alarm if necessary. The display 10 has a ROM 1
Items stored in 4 are displayed, that is, how many hours have not been refilled in the past, how the rehydration has been set, and the like. In addition, when an alarm is issued, an indication of where an abnormality is present is also performed.

[0053]

According to the water refilling device of the present invention, a water replenishing liquid level detecting mechanism is provided for each processing tank, and water is replenished for each processing tank. You can check if it has been done.

If the height of the liquid surface is detected by an inexpensive float switch, the initial cost is low and the height of the liquid surface is detected.

Further, leakage of the processing tank can be detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of a water refilling device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water refilling device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the water refilling device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 to 6 treatment tanks A1 to A6 Rehydration liquid level detection mechanism P1 to P6 Transfer mechanism 7 Rehydration tank 8 Power switch B Rehydration tank remaining amount detection mechanism

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-1-156743 (JP, A) JP-A-3-249646 (JP, A) JP-A-4-139449 (JP, A) JP-A-51-93225 (JP) JP-A-50-147946 (JP, A) JP-A-57-35722 (JP, A) JP-A-64-35219 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 51-145939 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03D 3/00-17/00 G01F 23/00-23/24

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An automatic water refilling device for a photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material having a plurality of processing tanks, wherein a liquid level of a processing solution provided in each processing tank is at a water replenishment reference position. A water replenishment liquid level detection mechanism for detecting, a water replenishment mechanism provided for each treatment tank for performing water replenishment, and a control mechanism for controlling the water replenishment mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is designated when during a predetermined time the rehydration liquid level detection mechanism liquid level of the processing liquid is continued to detect that the rehydration reference positions, is configured to instruct the refill starts the rehydration mechanism Rutotomoni processing liquid Liquid level is
When the power is turned on so that rehydration can be performed even when the
Indicate water replenishment to the water replenishment mechanism for a certain time specified in
An automatic water refilling device for a photographic processor configured as shown . 2. The water supply system according to claim 1, wherein said control mechanism is capable of setting a water supply amount and a water supply time of each treatment tank.
The automatic water refilling device of the photographic processor described in the above. 3. The control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least when the photosensitive material is being processed in each processing liquid tank, when the processing liquid overflows in one or more processing tanks, when waste liquid processing is performed,
2. The automatic water refilling device according to claim 1, wherein the water replenishment mechanism is instructed to prohibit water replenishment when the water replenishment operation is abnormal or specified otherwise. 4. When there are a plurality of processing tanks in which the control mechanism detects that the level of the processing liquid is at the water replenishment reference position, water is replenished to a plurality of processing tanks requiring water replenishment simultaneously. 2. The automatic water refilling device of a photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein the water refilling mechanism is instructed to perform water refilling. 5. When there are a plurality of treatment tanks in which it is detected that the liquid level of the treatment liquid is at the water replenishment reference position, the control mechanism instructs the water replenishment mechanism to replenish water in a specified fixed order. 2. The automatic rehydration device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein 6. The water refilling mechanism comprises a water refilling tank and a transfer mechanism provided on a water channel connecting the water refilling tank and each of the treatment tanks, and the water refilling tank has a water refilling tank remaining amount detecting mechanism. 2. The photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is provided with an alarm mechanism for issuing an alarm for a water refill tank when the water refill tank remaining amount detecting mechanism detects that the water amount in the water refill tank is equal to or less than a set value. Automatic rehydration equipment. 7. An alarm mechanism for issuing a treatment tank alarm when the control mechanism detects again that the level of the treatment liquid in the same treatment tank is at the rehydration reference position within a designated time after the completion of rehydration. 2. The automatic water refilling device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, further comprising: 8. An alarm mechanism for issuing a treatment tank alarm when it is detected that the level of the treatment liquid has not yet reached the designated liquid level when water refilling has been continued for a designated time. 2. The automatic water refilling device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, further comprising: