JP2001209158A - Processing liquid cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing liquid cooler which is capable of cooling processing tanks to a desired temperature while preventing dew condensation without depending upon continuous supply of water when the cooler is installed to the temperate regions or in the installation environment not provided with air conditioning equipment. SOLUTION: This processing liquid cooler includes a circulating flow passage which is composed of piping 10c communicated and connected to the outside of the processing tanks 11, 12 and 13 by each of the respective processing tanks and circulates the various processing liquids between the outside of the tanks and the inside of the tanks, a thermal conduction member 44 which is brought into contact with the cooling surface 40a side of an element 40 changed in its temperature by a Peltier effect, a U-shaped pipe 10d which is embedded therein, thermal insulating members 50, 51 and 52 and a fan motor 42 which cools a heat sink 45 in contact with the exothermic surface 40b side of the element 40 by blasting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing liquid cooling apparatus, and more particularly to a photographic printing apparatus in which a developing liquid, a fixing liquid and a stable liquid can be appropriately supplied from a container to a developing processing tank, a fixing processing tank and a stable processing tank. The present invention relates to a technique applied to a developing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Exposure printing is performed on an emulsion surface of photographic paper (hereinafter, also referred to as paper), and then sequentially passed through processing tanks containing processing liquids for development, fixing, and stabilization, and then dried. A photographic printing / developing apparatus configured to discharge the image to the outside has been put to practical use.

For example, US Pat. No. 5,307,114
According to the photographic printing / developing apparatus disclosed in the above publication, the continuous roll paper contained in the paper magazine is cut off in advance in a paper magazine and cut into a desired cut size by a cutter unit, and then the emulsion surface is turned up. After being conveyed to the exposure baking unit, after exposure baking to a desired size by a film set in the scanner, and then conveyed, developed, fixed, after sequentially conveyed through a processing tank containing a processing liquid for stabilization, Devices configured to dry and discharge to the outside have been proposed.

On the other hand, in each of the above-described processing tanks, ie, the developing processing tank, the fixing processing tank, and the stable processing tank, when the processing liquid is processed with a certain amount of paper, or when the processing liquid evaporates, the concentration increases. In this case, it is configured to maintain a predetermined concentration by diluting with water, and furthermore, a rod-shaped heater or the like is arranged in the processing tank in order to maintain an appropriate temperature, and the temperature is controlled by performing a feedback temperature control by a temperature sensor. The temperature was raised to maintain a desired temperature of about 35 ° C.
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-239813, a circulation channel is provided and the temperature thereof is increased.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-282622, piping is provided in a temperature control tank, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-282625, a bypass flow path is provided, the temperature of which is increased. As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 333306, a heating or cooling mechanism having a temperature gradient is provided inside the tank.

However, when the photographic printing / developing apparatus is installed in a temperate zone or in a summer installation environment without air conditioning equipment, the outside air temperature becomes 40 ° C. or higher, so cooling is required. For this cooling, a configuration as shown in the front view of each processing tank of the conventional photographic printing and developing apparatus of FIG. 6 has been mainly adopted.

[0006] That is, in FIG.
2. A bypass path is formed in the fixing processing tank 113 and the stabilizing processing tank 114 to maintain a predetermined concentration of the developing solution, the fixing solution and the stabilizing solution at the predetermined liquid level, and to cool to a proper temperature. A piping 430 is provided, and the processing liquid is cooled by the radiation fins 150 blown by the fan 140 while the processing liquid is circulated by the pump 134. At this time, if the outside air temperature is 40 ° C. or more, since the temperature cannot be lowered below this temperature, water is continuously supplied from a pipe connected to a faucet 129 capable of supplying water of at least 30 ° C. or less. Then, the water is cooled by passing through each tank.

[0007]

However, according to the conventional photographic printing / developing apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, the water is cooled to a set temperature by continuously supplying water. If the water bill is large, and if well water is used, the use of a water pump increases the electricity bill, which is very uneconomical.In addition, according to the method described above, it is not possible to adjust the temperature below the set temperature. Difficult, and the ideal temperature of the ideal processing solution is 21 to 25 degrees C.
In order to control the temperature, very large-scale air conditioning equipment and cooling equipment were required.

Therefore, a small cooling device is built in the photographic printing / developing device, and a circulation flow path for connecting the small cooling devices is provided between each processing solution tank storing each processing solution. It is conceivable to cool the treatment liquid to a desired temperature.
However, the piping for forming the circulation channel has a problem that dew condensation occurs when the difference between the processing solution temperature and the outside air temperature is large, and when left as it is, it grows into water droplets and drops into the apparatus. There is.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and relies on a continuous supply of water when the photographic printing and developing apparatus is installed in a temperate region or in an installation environment without air conditioning equipment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing liquid cooling device that can cool a processing tank to a desired temperature without causing the occurrence of dew condensation.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems,
In order to achieve the object, according to the present invention, a processing liquid cooling device for storing a processing liquid in each processing tank and maintaining the processing liquid at a desired temperature, wherein each of the processing tanks communicates with the outside of the tank. A tubing connected to the tubing and a pump provided in the tubing, a circulating flow path for circulating the processing liquid between the outside of the tank and the inside of the tank, and a cooling surface side of the element whose temperature changes by the Peltier effect. A heat conduction member in which the pipe is buried in the middle of the circulation flow path while being in contact with, and blowing means for blowing air to a heat sink in contact with the heat generating surface side of the element, and blowing out the blown hot air to the outside of the device; A heat insulating member provided on an outer peripheral surface of the heat conductive member.

Further, in the heat conduction member, the pipe is embedded in a substantially U shape.

[0012] In the heat conduction member, the pipe in the middle of a plurality of the circulation channels is buried.

[0013]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 shows a photographic printing / developing apparatus 1 (hereinafter, referred to as "photo printing apparatus").
FIG. 2 is a front view in which a cover and the like that are detachably provided to a housing 2 are removed to show the entire configuration of the apparatus 1).

In FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 is large in a front view, and includes a printer (photo printing) unit 3 and a processor (photosensitive material processing).
It consists of three parts, a part 5 and a dryer (drying) part 6, and is configured to be vertically long on the left and right and flat on the front and back, so that the occupied area is minimized. It is designed to be accessible so that it can be easily used for various tasks that must be performed daily.

The photographic paper P exposed by the printer unit 3 is transferred via the transport unit 8 to the developing processing tank 11, the fixing processing tank 12, and the stabilizing processing tank 13 of the processor unit 5 disposed downstream of the printer unit 3. , Is turned in the direction of the arrow by a reversing roll (not shown), and is conveyed by the rack unit 14. Then, through the stabilization tank 13, the dryer section 6
After being dried, it is introduced into the direction changing device 16, is sorted by size, and is sent to a large-size tray 18 or a normal-size belt conveyor 17 to be finally sent. The device 1 is configured to be discharged outside the device 1.

On the other hand, a replenishing tank 24 for developing solution, a replenishing tank 25 for fixing solution, and a replenishing tank 26 for stabilizing solution for replenishing the processing solution are provided on the lower side, and these tanks are stored in containers in advance. In order to introduce the various concentrated processing liquids, a developer container 20 whose opening is sealed with a sealing member,
The fixing solution container 21 and the two stabilizing solution containers 22 and 23 are set as shown in FIG.

A power supply unit is provided in the housing 2 occupying the space below the drying unit 15, and a processor for performing various controls related to each of the processing tanks is provided on the power supply unit. A control unit 9 is provided and configured to control the entire apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a piping diagram for supplying respective processing solutions to the developing tank 11, the fixing processing tank 12, and the stabilizing processing tank 13 of the tank shown in FIG. Liquid supply means composed of a pump and an electromagnetic valve is connected between the developer replenishment tank 24, the fixer replenishment tank 25, and the stabilizing solution replenishment tank 26. The processing liquid can be supplied. 28a is the developing tank 1
1 waste liquid tank, the waste liquid intermediate tank 28b and the solenoid valve 1
The waste liquid from the top and bottom of the above-mentioned development work is carried out via Ob. Reference numeral 29a denotes a waste liquid tank of the fixing processing tank 12 and the stabilizing processing tank 13. The waste liquid is discharged from the top and bottom of the fixing processing tank via a waste liquid intermediate tank 29b and a solenoid valve 10b (not shown). The liquid is discharged from the upper part of the stabilization tank via a waste liquid intermediate tank and a solenoid valve (not shown). Each processing tank is provided with a cooling means 70, and is controlled so that each processing liquid is maintained at a desired temperature. Further, an intermediate tank 130 for reusing a part of the water from the above-mentioned stabilization processing tank is provided between the tank and the replenishment tank 25 for fixing solution.

Further, water supplied by a faucet or manually is stored in a water tank 27, and a pipe 10c, a pump 10
a and a solenoid valve 10b. Further, a container 2 in which the developing solution, the fixing solution and the stabilizing solution shown in FIG.
0, 21, 22, and 23 are housed in one box,
This is detachable from the front of the photographic printing and developing device.

When these containers are set from the front,
The opening device (not shown) is configured to be moved upward to pierce a seal covering each opening of the container, and to supply the undiluted solution into the tank from the tube 7 connected to the opening device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. In this figure, as shown in FIG. 1, a developing solution, a fixing solution and a stabilizing solution are stored in a developing tank 11, a fixing tank 12 and a stabilizing tank 13, respectively. The photographic paper exposed in the exposure unit is sequentially passed through the respective processing tanks as shown in FIG. 1 by a transport rack 14 which is a transport means, and the transport rack 14 receives a driving force from a common motor. Thus, the transport roller (not shown) can be driven completely synchronously. The transport racks 14 are individually pulled out upward so that cleaning and the like can be managed.

Each of the tanks 11, 12, and 13 is maintained at the liquid level 35, and stores the overflowed processing liquid in the container 33. A pipe 10c is connected downward between the bottoms of the tanks 11, 12, and 13 and the bottom of the vessel 33 to the outside of the tank, and a processing liquid in the pipe 10c is connected by a pump 10a connected in the middle. To form a circulation flow path for circulating between the outside of the tank and the inside of the tank the processing liquid that has been raised near the liquid level 35 and the processing liquid that has been present near the bottom at a low temperature. ing.

On the other hand, in the middle of the pipe 10c is a U-shaped pipe 10d, as shown in the figure, in which a cooling electronic cooler using an element 40 whose temperature changes by the Peltier effect is provided. By supplying power of a predetermined polarity from the DC power supply 50 to the element 40, the element 40
In addition, a cooling surface and a heat generating surface are generated. On the cooling surface side of the element 40, a heat conductive member 44, which is formed from an aluminum member or the like which is a metal having a high thermal conductivity, is provided in a state of being in contact with the entire surface. On the other hand, a heat sink 45 is provided in contact with the heat generation side of the element 40 and a fan motor 42 for cooling the heat sink 45 by blowing air is fixed to the rear surface of the housing 2. It is provided so as to be able to blow air to the outside through the opening 60 a of the unit 60.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a configuration around a cooling electronic cooler using the element 40. As shown in FIG. In this figure, the components already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. If the unexplained portions are described, a lead wire is relayed from the DC power supply 50 to the element 40 to have a predetermined polarity. When power is supplied, the cooling surface 40a and the heat generating surface 40b can be arbitrarily changed by changing the polarity. However, in this configuration, the polarity is kept constant, and the cooling surface 40a is connected to the pipe 10c. Side.

The heat conducting member 44 is provided on the cooling surface 40a in a contact state with silicone grease (not shown) interposed therebetween to ensure heat conduction. The heat conducting member 44 is provided with two through-holes 44a as shown in the figure, and a U-shaped tube 10d which passes through the inside of these through-holes 44a and is in close contact therewith is provided. ing. The above-mentioned pipe 10c is connected to the end of the U-shaped pipe 10d provided in this way, and arrows D1, D
Cooling is performed when the processing liquid is circulated in two directions.

The heat sink 45 that contacts the heat generating surface 40b of the element 40 is also provided in a contact state with a silicone grease (not shown) interposed therebetween, so that heat conduction is ensured and the heat sink 45 Fin 4
Hot air is blown out of the apparatus in the direction of the arrow by a fan motor 42 that blows air from the housing 2 to the outside with a negative pressure between 5a.

With the above configuration, the element 4 is controlled while performing feedback temperature control by a temperature sensor (not shown) in the tank.
By applying the current to 0, it is possible to maintain the originally ideal desired temperature of 21 to 25 ° C. irrespective of the outside air temperature. However, for example, operation in an environment where the indoor temperature is 40 ° C. Then, dew condensation occurs on the surface of the heat conducting member 44 due to the temperature difference, and there is a problem that the droplets fall downward as water drops.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a felt, a malt plane,
Large and small heat insulating members 50, 51 and 52 made of styrene foam resin or the like are provided. The large heat insulating member 50 includes an inner wall 50 that covers the front and both side surfaces of the heat conductive member 44.
a, 50b, 50c, while having a predetermined thickness, the small heat insulating members 51, 52
Since the holes 51a and 52a through which the pipe 10c passes to cover the top and bottom surfaces of the holes are formed continuously from the cuts,
It can be easily set at a predetermined position and then fixed with a cover (not shown). Further, the small heat insulating members 51 and 52 may be formed as a thick adhesive layer, and the large heat insulating member 50 may be bonded and fixed.

As described above, by providing the heat insulating member, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation on the surface of the heat conducting member 44 due to the temperature difference.

Next, FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a configuration around a cooling electronic cooler according to another embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the components already described, and the description is omitted. Four pipes 10c are provided, and 55 heat insulating members are individually provided in the U-shaped pipe portion.

With such a configuration, for example, the circulation passages respectively piped to the development processing tank and the fixing processing tank are one.
It is possible to cool to a desired temperature by using the individual cooling electronic coolers. Alternatively, as described above, the stabilization tank provided with a plurality of sections can be cooled to a desired temperature by using one cooling electronic cooler.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the U-shaped straight tube is embedded in the heat conducting member 44 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the photographic printing / developing apparatus is installed in a temperate region or in an installation environment without air conditioning equipment, the processing tank is maintained at the ideally desired desired temperature of 21 to 25 ° C. without depending on the continuous supply of water. It is possible to provide a processing liquid cooling device capable of preventing the occurrence of dew condensation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of an entire configuration of a photographic printing and developing apparatus 1. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a piping diagram for supplying respective processing liquids to a developing tank 11, a fixing tank 12, and a stabilizing tank 13 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a cooling electronic cooler using an element 40.

5 is an external perspective view showing another configuration of the cooling electronic cooler using the element 40. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a main part of the entire configuration of a conventional photographic printing and developing apparatus 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photographic printing and developing apparatus 2 Housing 10a Pump 10c Piping 10d U-shaped tube 40 element 42 Fan motor (blowing means) 44 Heat conduction member 45 Heat sink

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A processing liquid cooling device for storing a processing liquid in each processing tank and maintaining the processing liquid at a desired temperature, comprising: a pipe connected to the outside of the tank for each of the processing tanks;
A circulating flow path configured to circulate the processing liquid between the outside of the tank and the inside of the tank; and a cooling surface of an element that changes in temperature by a Peltier effect, and A heat-conducting member in which a pipe in the middle of the circulation flow path is buried; a blower that blows air to a heat sink in contact with the heat-generating surface side of the element, and sends out the heated hot air to the outside of the device; And a heat insulating member provided on the surface. 2. The processing liquid cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is buried in a substantially U shape in the heat conducting member. 3. The processing liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the pipes in the middle of the plurality of circulation channels are buried in the heat conduction member.