JP2000075495A - Exposure device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exposure device capable of rapidly performing exposure processing to photosensitive material regardless of the material or the thickness of an original plate and stably performing exposure in spite of the deterioration of a light source or the fluctuation of a power source. SOLUTION: Original paper 30 on which image information 30a is recorded and the photosensitive material 31 are superposed and placed on a light transmissive original placing part. In the case of exposing the image information on the original paper to the photosensitive material with a light beam from the ultraviolet lamp 9 of the light source, the light beam transmitted through the original paper is received by a sensor 20, converted into an electrical signal and inputted in a controller 8. The controller 8 is provided with a timer which counts the operation time of the light source, a storage part in which exposing light quantity necessary for the exposure of the photosensitive material is previously set, a means for arithmetically calculating integrated light quantity based on the transmitted light quantity through the original paper detected by the sensor and the counted time by the timer, and a means for generating a signal for intercepting the light source when the exposing light quantity and the integrated light quantity are compared and both of them are equal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which an original plate on which image information is described is superposed on a photosensitive material, and a light source emits a light beam.
The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus for exposing image information of an original to a photosensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A manuscript sheet is prepared by cutting out or copying a printed matter on which image information such as characters and figures are described, or by handwriting the image information. There is a case where a photosensitive material such as a photosensitive film is overlaid on the sheet, and image information given to the document paper is exposed to the photosensitive material by an exposure device.

FIG. 6 shows such an original sheet 30 for exposure.
It is a top view which shows an example. The manuscript paper 30 is formed by cutting out a printed matter, copying it from the printed matter, creating it by handwriting, or the like. For this reason, the quality and thickness of the original paper 30 and the contents of the image information are appropriately selected from various ones. The original paper 30 has a white background portion and a colored portion where appropriate character or graphic image information 30a is added.

FIG. 7 shows image information 30a of an original sheet 30.
Is a plan view of the photosensitive film 31 to be exposed, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the exposed ultraviolet curable resin plate. Manuscript paper 3
An example of a process of exposing the image information 30a of the original paper 30 to the photosensitive film 31, which is a photosensitive material, using 0 as an original will be described. The original paper 30 is placed on the original mounting plate of the exposure device with the surface provided with the image information 30a facing upward, and the photosensitive film 31 is overlaid on the original paper 30.
The cover is closed and the photosensitive film 31 and the original paper 30 are pressed to bring the original paper 30 and the photosensitive film 31 into close contact.

In this state, when the ultraviolet lamp of the exposure light source is turned on for a predetermined time, the photosensitive film 31 is exposed, and a latent image of the image information 30a of the original paper 30 is formed. At this time, the exposed surface 31a of the photosensitive film 31 is
Of the image information 30a is inverted and a latent image is formed in white and the background is colored. Such an exposure apparatus has a generally known configuration.

[0006] When the exposure processing of the photosensitive film 31 is completed, the developing processing is performed next, and then the photosensitive film 31 is turned over, that is, placed on the original placing plate with the exposed surface facing upward. An ultraviolet curable resin plate 32 having a predetermined thickness is superimposed on the photosensitive film 31, the lid is closed, and the photosensitive film 31 and the ultraviolet curable resin plate 32 are pressed to bring them into close contact with each other. In this case, the photosensitive film 31 is used as an original plate, and the ultraviolet curable resin plate 32 is used as a photosensitive material.

When the ultraviolet lamp is turned on for a predetermined time in this state, an image is exposed on the exposed surface 32a of the ultraviolet-curing resin plate 32.
The latent image is formed by inverting the portion of the image information 30a. Thereafter, a cleaning process is performed on the exposed surface. When the ultraviolet curable resin plate 32 is formed of a transparent member and the exposed surface is on the lower side and viewed from the surface, the image information portion appears to be raised as if stamped.

In the above example, the image of the original sheet 30 is temporarily
The photosensitive film 31 is exposed to the image information 30a, and the image information 30a is transferred from the photosensitive film 31 to the ultraviolet curing resin plate 32.
Is formed. However, by appropriately selecting the material and thickness of the manuscript paper 30 and the ultraviolet curing resin plate 32, the light amount of the ultraviolet lamp, and the like, the image of the manuscript paper 30 can be obtained.
It is also possible to directly form the latent image of the digital information 30a on the ultraviolet curing resin plate 32.

An exposure apparatus for exposing the photosensitive material to the image information 30a described on the original sheet 30 is as follows.
It is used for business in relatively small companies and stores, or for personal hobbies.

Incidentally, the amount of exposure light required when an exposure process is performed on a photosensitive material from an original on which image information is described is an exposure light source when the original has no light attenuation such as a transparent film. It is obtained by integrating the amount of light projected onto the original and the exposure time. Therefore, when the exposure light source is set, an appropriate exposure process is performed by managing the exposure time.

However, when exposing the photosensitive material to image information from the original sheet as shown in FIG. 6, the light beam emitted from the light source is partially attenuated when passing through the original sheet. I will. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the integrated light amount based on the transmitted light amount of the original and the exposure time, and appropriately manage the integrated amount of the effective wavelength light of the light source required for exposing the photosensitive material, that is, the transmitted light amount per unit area of the manuscript paper. It is necessary to manage the integrated light amount determined by the exposure time. Such management of the integrated light amount is performed by trialing the exposure state of the photosensitive material in advance and setting the exposure time while visually observing the exposure state.

[0012]

The original manuscript paper on which the image information is described can be cut out, copied or printed.
Since various things such as handwriting are used, the materials and thicknesses are different, and the amount of transmitted light per unit area of the manuscript paper is different. For this reason, each time a document sheet is set, it is necessary to carry out a trial of the above-mentioned exposure state for performing appropriate exposure on the photosensitive material, and there has been a problem that it takes time for the exposure process.

In addition, deterioration of the light source, fluctuations in the power supply, etc. may cause
In some cases, the amount of light projected on the original plate for exposure is reduced, and there is a problem that it is difficult to control exposure for stably exposing a photosensitive material.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention can quickly perform exposure processing on a photosensitive material regardless of the material and thickness of an original plate, and can stably expose the photosensitive material even if deterioration of a light source or power supply fluctuation occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide an exposure apparatus.

[0015]

An object of the present invention is to provide an exposure apparatus, comprising: a document placement section for placing a photosensitive material on an original plate formed of a light-transmitting material and carrying image information; A light source for projecting a light beam on the original placing section to expose the image information of the original to a photosensitive material, a sensor for receiving a light beam transmitted through the original, and a control device for controlling the light source based on a detection signal of the sensor. The control device includes a timer for measuring the operation time of the light source, a storage unit for presetting an exposure light amount necessary for exposing the photosensitive material, a transmission light amount of the original detected by a sensor, and a timer for the timer. This is achieved by providing a means for calculating the integrated light amount based on the clocking time and a means for comparing the set exposure light amount and the integrated light amount and generating a light source cutoff signal when the two are equal.

In the exposure apparatus of the present invention, the amount of exposure necessary for exposing the photosensitive material is set in a storage unit in advance, and the amount of transmission of the original detected by the sensor and the operation time of the light source measured by a timer are determined. The integrated light amount is calculated, the set exposure light amount and the integrated light amount are compared, and a light source cutoff signal is generated when both are equal. As described above, since the light source is automatically cut off based on the integrated light amount, the photosensitive material is quickly exposed regardless of the material and thickness of the original plate, and even if the light source is deteriorated or the power supply fluctuates. The photosensitive material can be stably exposed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an exposure apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 6 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an exposure apparatus cassette inserted into and removed from the exposure apparatus. Next, FIG. 3 will be described.

In FIG. 3, the cassette 10 is provided with a lid 11 and a base plate 14. Lid 11 is hinged 16a,
16b, the base plate 14 is rotatably connected to the base plate 14,
The lid 11 opens and closes the surface of the base plate 14. A rectangular pressing plate 12 is provided inside the lid 11, and an elastic body 13 is fixed to the pressing plate 12. As the elastic body 13, an appropriate material such as rubber or sponge which is elastically deformed by a pressing force is used.

At the center of the base plate 14, an original placing portion 15 made of a translucent member is formed. Document loading section 1
The document paper 30 and the photosensitive film 31 are stacked on the sheet 5.
A handle 18 is fixed to the base plate 14. Handle 18
A central portion of the base plate 14 is provided with a concave portion 19 for facilitating a finger when opening the lid 11 with the surface of the base plate 14 closed. The base plate 14 is provided with a first light projecting window 17a for passing the light beam of the light source. The lid 11 has a first
The second light emitting window 17b is provided at a position corresponding to the light emitting window 17a.

FIG. 4 shows an original sheet 30 containing image information and a photosensitive film 31 in the cassette 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a document is placed on a document placing section 15. The first light projecting window 17a provided on the base plate 14 is shielded by the document paper 30.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cassette 10 and the exposure apparatus 1 into which the cassette 10 is inserted. With the lid 11, the opening surface of the base plate 14 is closed, and the cassette 10 in which the original paper 30 and the photosensitive film 31 are sandwiched between the lid 11 and the base plate 14 is inserted into the exposure apparatus from the X direction. insert.

A power switch 4 is provided on a side surface of the main body case 2 of the exposure apparatus 1. An opening 3 into which the cassette 10 is inserted is formed on the front surface of the main body case 2. 5 is an operation button for turning on and off the ultraviolet lamp manually, 6a is a display lamp for displaying the application of power, 6b is a display lamp for displaying the elapse of the exposure time, and 7 is formed on the surface of the main body case 2. It is an uneven portion.

Although not shown, an ultraviolet lamp as an exposure light source, a sensor for detecting the amount of light emitted from the light source and passing through the original paper, and a detection signal of the sensor are provided inside the main body case 2. Is input, and a control device for controlling lighting of the light source is provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the control device for controlling the lighting of the light source, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the control device. In FIG. 1, an original sheet 30 on which image information 30a is described and a photosensitive film 31 are overlaid on an original placing portion, and an ultraviolet lamp 9 as a light source is turned on. The light beam emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 9 of the light source enters the original paper 30 through the first light-emitting window 17a formed in the cassette, attenuates when passing through the original paper 30,
Is detected by the sensor 20 through the light projecting window 17b.

The sensor 20 detects the amount of transmitted light per unit area of the manuscript paper 30 and inputs a detection signal to the control device 8. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the control device 8 converts an amount of received light detected by the sensor 20 into an electric signal, and converts an input signal as an analog signal into a digital signal. Unit 8a, a central processing unit (CPU) 8b for executing various arithmetic processing, a ROM 8c for storing a management program and the like, a table in which an exposure light amount necessary for exposing the photosensitive material is preset, and the like are stored. RA
M8d, timer 8e, input / output interface (I /
O) 8f and an internal bus 8g are provided.

Next, the operation of the control device 8 of the present invention will be described. When the power switch 4 is turned on and the operation button 5 is pressed to turn on the ultraviolet lamp 9 serving as a light source, the timer 8e measures the elapsed time from the lighting. The transmitted light amount per unit area of the manuscript paper 30 is detected by the sensor 20, the detection signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 8 a of the control device 8, and written into a predetermined area of the RAM 8 d.

The CPU 8b refers to the above-mentioned table and determines the integrated light amount required for performing the exposure processing on the photosensitive material based on the transmitted light amount per unit area of the original paper 30 as the original detected by the sensor 20. I do. That is, the time required to reach the exposure light amount set in the RAM in order to properly expose the photosensitive material of the original is determined. When the lighting time of the light source by the timer 8e exceeds the required time, the control device 8 blinks the display device 6b to notify the end of the exposure processing, and turns off the ultraviolet lamp 9 of the light source.

As described above, the sensor 20 receives an effective light beam that passes through the original plate and exposes the photosensitive material, converts the transmitted light amount into an electric signal, and inputs the electric signal to the control device. Then, the control device refers to the exposure light amount preset in the table of the storage device, determines the exposure time necessary for exposing the photosensitive material based on the input transmitted light amount signal, and calculates the integrated light amount. It is configured to calculate and automatically shut off the light source after a predetermined exposure time has elapsed. For this reason, even when the material and thickness of the original sheet as the original plate are changed, it is possible to perform an appropriate exposure process on the photosensitive material without performing the exposure trial every time.

By using the cassette 10 as described above, while the cassette 10 is inserted into the exposure apparatus 1 and the exposure process is performed, the original and the photosensitive material are superimposed on another cassette 10a. If the exposure processing is prepared, the cassette 10 is taken out of the exposure apparatus 1 and then the cassette 1 is removed.
0a can be inserted into the exposure apparatus 1 to perform continuous exposure processing.

In the above-described example, the cassette provided with the document placing portion and the exposure device are separately formed as separate members. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus in which a unit is provided in an exposure apparatus to be integrated.

[0031]

As described above, in the exposure apparatus of the present invention, the amount of exposure necessary for exposing the photosensitive material is set in the storage unit in advance, and the amount of transmitted light of the original detected by the sensor is measured by the timer. The integrated light amount is calculated based on the operating time of the light source, and the set exposure light amount and the integrated light amount are compared, and when both are equal, a light source cutoff signal is generated. As described above, since the light source is automatically cut off based on the integrated light amount, the photosensitive material is quickly exposed regardless of the material and thickness of the original plate, and even if the light source is deteriorated or the power supply fluctuates. The photosensitive material can be stably exposed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a control device that controls lighting of a light source in an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a lid of the cassette is opened.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an original sheet and a photosensitive film are overlapped in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cassette and an exposure apparatus into which the cassette is inserted / removed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an example of a document sheet.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an exposed photosensitive film.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an exposed ultraviolet curable resin plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exposure device 3 Opening 5 Operation button 8 Control device 9 Ultraviolet lamp 10 Cassette 11 Lid 14 Base plate 15 Document placing plate 16a, 16b Hinge 17a, 17b Light-emitting window 18 Handle 20 Sensor 30 Document paper 31 Photosensitive film

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An original placing portion formed of a translucent material, on which an original on which image information is described and a photosensitive material are placed on top of each other, and a light beam is projected onto the original placing portion to expose the original. Original image on the material
A light source for exposing the light, a sensor for receiving a light beam transmitted through the original, and a control device for controlling the light source by a detection signal of the sensor, wherein the control device has a timer for measuring the operation time of the light source, A storage unit for presetting an exposure light amount necessary for exposure of the photosensitive material, a unit for calculating an integrated light amount based on a transmitted light amount of the original plate detected by a sensor and a timer time of the timer, and the set exposure light amount An exposure apparatus comprising means for comparing a cumulative light amount and generating a light source cutoff signal when both are equal.