JP2001215674A - Water supply device and photosensitive material processing device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water supply device capable of precisely controlling the water supply quantity and excellent in productivity, and a photosensitive material processing device provided with the water supply device. SOLUTION: One water feed pump 100 is operated and the water flowing through water feed pipes 24f, 25f and 26f connected to each replenishing tank 24, 25 and 26 is controlled by solenoid valves 24e, 25e and 26e. As a result, by providing an upper limit detecting sensor 24c only in one replenishing tank (in this case, a replenishing tank 24 for developer), the desired quantity of water is precisely supplied even for another replenishing tanks.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply apparatus and a photosensitive material processing apparatus provided with the water supply apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photographic paper (hereinafter, also referred to as paper) is exposed and baked by light transmitted through a film, and then passed through a developing solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution, dried, and dried. A photographic printing / developing device configured to discharge the toner to a printer has been put to practical use. Such a developing device is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,307,114.

A developing device of this type generally includes a developing tank, a fixing tank, and a stabilizing tank, each of which stores a developing solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution. For these liquids, it is necessary to maintain a constant concentration with respect to water during development, and replenishers of a developing solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution are supplied at predetermined timing. For this reason, replenishing tanks are provided for the respective processing solutions of the developing solution, the fixing solution, and the stabilizing solution, and the replenishing tank is managed so that the replenishing solution always exists.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, lower limit detection sensors 24d, 25d,
In general, when a shortage of the replenisher is detected, the concentrated solution and water are automatically flowed into the replenisher tank to generate a replenisher.

As a water supply device for replenishing the replenishment tank with water, a water supply tank 27, a pump 100a for supplying water from the water supply tank to the developer replenishment tank 24, and a replenishment tank 25 for supplying water from the water supply tank to the replenishment tank 25 Pump 1 for water supply
00b and the replenishment tank 2 for the stabilizing solution
6 was generally equipped with a pump 100c for supplying water. And each pump 100a, 100b, 100
c was operated only for a time calculated based on the water supply amount set in advance as a specification to supply water.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional water supply device, the water supply amount set in advance as a specification and the actual water supply amount are, for example, individual errors and deterioration of the pump, and a pump using a DC power supply. In the case of a pump using an AC power supply, an error occurs depending on the input power supply frequency and the like, resulting in an excess or deficiency in the amount of supplied water.

In order to solve this problem, there is a method of calibrating the amount of water supplied to the pump. However, the amount of water supplied to the pump must be measured for each pump and the amount of water supplied to the pump must be updated. It was complicated. In addition, as another method, as shown in FIG.
There is a method in which the pumps are stopped by detecting the upper limit of the liquid level by providing c, 25c, and 26c. However, a sensor must be attached to each tank with high accuracy, resulting in poor production efficiency.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply apparatus and a water supply system capable of accurately controlling the amount of water supply and having excellent productivity. An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus provided with the apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, in a water supply apparatus according to the present invention, water is supplied from a water supply tank to at least two kinds of replenishment tanks for storing a replenishment treatment liquid. A first water supply pipe having one end connected to the water supply tank and supplying water, a second water supply end connected to the first water supply pipe, and a second end connected to the first replenishment tank. A water supply pipe and one end to the first water supply pipe,
A third water supply pipe having the other end connected to the second refill tank;
Wherein the first water supply pipe is provided with a pump, and the other water supply pipes are each provided with a movable valve.

At least one of the replenishment tanks is provided with a lower limit detecting means for detecting the lower limit of the liquid level in the replenishment tank and an upper limit detecting means for detecting the upper limit, wherein the liquid level in the replenishment tank is at the lower limit. After the lower limit detecting means detects and injects a predetermined amount of the processing liquid into the replenishment tank, the movable valve is opened to supply water, and the time until the upper limit detecting means detects that the liquid level is at the upper limit. And calculating means for calculating a water supply amount per unit time of the pump by measuring the water supply amount.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
The above-mentioned water supply device is provided.

[0012]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangements, numerical values, and the like of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to them unless otherwise specified.

(One Embodiment) <Structure of Entire Apparatus> First, the structure of an entire developing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a photographic printing / developing apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus 1).
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire internal configuration of the present embodiment. The device 1 is provided with a cover and the like detachably provided to the housing 2, and this figure shows a state where the cover and the like of the device 1 are partially removed.

In FIG. 1, an apparatus 1 includes a printer (exposure printing) section 3, a processor (photosensitive material processing) section 5,
The dryer (drying) section 6 is composed of three sections, which are horizontally long and flattened forward and backward, so as to minimize the occupied area. Care has been taken to make each part easily accessible.

The photographic paper P exposed by the printer unit 3 is sent to the processor unit 5 via the transport unit 8. The photographic paper P transported to the processor unit 5 is sequentially sent to the developing tank 1
1, through the fixing processing tank 12 and the stabilizing processing tank 13, and then sent to the dryer unit 6.

Each processing tank has a rack unit 1
4 and a reversing roll (not shown) are provided, and all of the rack unit 14 and the reversing roll rotate at the same time to turn the photographic paper P entering the horizontal direction downward and guide it into each processing tank, Furthermore, the inside of each processing tank is transported as indicated by an arrow, and the direction is changed again by the rack unit 14 and sent to the next processing tank. The development processing tank 11 and the fixing processing tank 12 are each composed of one tank. The stabilization processing tank 13 has four tanks (13a, 13a) as shown in the figure.
b, 13c, 13d), and each tank is depleted so that the liquid level becomes lower in order from the right, and the replenishing stabilizing liquid flowing into 13a flows from 13b to 13c and further into 1c.
It flows into 3d and so on.

It is discharged from the tank 13a of the stabilization tank 13,
The photographic paper P conveyed to the dryer section 6 is first sent to a drying unit 15, dried, guided to a direction changing device 16, sorted by size, and supplied to a large-size tray 18.
Alternatively, the sheet is sent to a belt conveyor 17 of a normal size and discharged outside the apparatus 1.

A replenisher tank 24 for replenishing the processing solution, a replenishment tank 25 for the fixing solution, and a replenishment tank 26 for the stabilizing solution are provided below the processing tank in the processor unit 5. Above these replenishment tanks, a container storing various concentrated processing liquids as raw materials for making a processing liquid for replenishment is configured to be set, and when the processing liquid in the replenishment tank is reduced. Next, the set container is opened and poured into these tanks to generate a replenisher. The figure shows a state in which a developer container 20, a fixer container 21, and two stabilizing solution containers 22, 23 are set with their openings downward.

Below the drying unit 15, a control unit 9 for performing various controls related to each of the above-mentioned processing tanks is provided together with a power supply unit, and is configured to control the entire apparatus. I have.

<Detailed Configuration of Processor Unit> Next, the detailed configuration of the processor unit 5 will be described separately with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the developing tank 11 and the fixing tank 1.
2. Supply each processing liquid to the stable processing tank 13
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the piping for discharging.

[Replenishment tank]
Fixer replenishment tank 25 and stabilizer replenishment tank 26
Are connected to a developing processing tank 11, a fixing processing tank 12, and a stabilizing processing tank 13, respectively, by a liquid supply pipe 10c having a pump 10a and an electromagnetic valve 10b. And
Basically, each replenisher can be supplied to each processing tank at a predetermined timing according to the number of processed prints. That is, the number of processed sheets is calculated by the central processing unit 33 shown in FIG. 3 based on the output of a not-shown processed sheet number counter, and the pump 10 between each replenishment tank and each processing tank is calculated.
a and the solenoid valve 10b are controlled.

Each of the replenishment tanks 24, 25, 26 is connected to a concentrated developing solution container 20, a concentrated fixing solution container 21, and a not-shown opening device for opening and closing the two concentrated stable solution containers 22, 23. Tubes 24a, 25a, 26a are provided. The tube is a hollow tube and also plays a role as an inflow path for the concentrated processing liquid. In addition, each replenishment tank 24, 2
5 and 26 are spare holes 24b, 2
5b and 26b are provided, and a stirrer (not shown) is provided for each of them. 31 is a motor for the stirring device.

As shown in FIG. 3, inside the replenishing tank, a replenisher upper limit detection sensor 24c and lower limit detection sensors 24d, 25d and 26d are provided, and a pump 100 for replenishing water from the water supply tank 27 is provided. And solenoid valve control, or
It is used to control the opening time of the solenoid valve when replenishing the processing solution to the processing tank.

[Waste liquid tank] Waste liquid tanks 28 and 29 are provided below the developing processing tank 11 and the fixing processing tank 12, and the old developing solution and fixing liquid in each processing tank are discharged to each tank. Is done. At the bottom of each waste liquid tank 28, 29, a sensor 28a for detecting the amount of waste liquid in the tank,
If the amount of waste liquid in the tank exceeds a certain amount, the user is prompted to remove the waste liquid in the tank. The waste liquid tanks 28 and 29 are piped such that the waste liquid flows out not only from the liquid surface of each of the processing tanks 11 and 12 but also from the bottom. Therefore, at the bottom of each processing tank, outlets 11a and 12a are provided at substantially the center thereof, and outflow passages 28c and 29c extend toward the waste liquid tanks 28 and 29. Solenoid valves 28b, 29b are provided in each of the outflow paths 28c, 29c.
Is provided, and the liquid level sensor 1 of each of the processing tanks 11 and 12 is provided.
It is linked with 1b and 12b. When the processing liquid is detected by these liquid level sensors 11b and 12b,
When the processing liquid is replenished in a certain amount, the solenoid valves 28b and 29b are opened for a certain period of time, waste liquid flows out, and paper powder and crystals settled at the bottom of the processing tanks 11 and 12 are discharged. Is done. To this end, the bottoms of the processing tanks 11 and 12 are provided with inclinations toward the outlets 11a and 12a.

On the other hand, intermediate tanks 11c and 12c and a solenoid valve 10b are provided in the outflow paths from the upper portions of the processing tanks 11 and 12, respectively. Further, an outflow path extends from the upper part of the tank 13d of the stabilization processing tank 13 to the waste liquid tank 29, and an intermediate tank 13c is also provided in the outflow path. These intermediate tanks 11c, 12c and 13c temporarily store the waste liquid discharged while the waste liquid tank is full and is replaced with an empty waste liquid tank. It is possible to exchange the waste liquid tank or remove the waste liquid without interruption.

[Reuse Tank] A reuse tank 30 is provided below the stabilization tank 13. An inflow path extends from the upper part of the tank 13d, and when a replenisher of a predetermined amount or more flows into the stabilization tank 13, the overflow is temporarily stored in the reuse tank 30. A flow path extends from the reuse tank 30 to the fixer replenishment tank 25. A predetermined amount of stabilizing liquid (an old one, close to water) at a predetermined timing by a pump and a solenoid valve provided on the way.
Is supplied to the replenishment tank 25 for fixing.

[Water Supply Tank] A water supply tank 27 is provided below the apparatus 1 and water is replenished once or twice a day to the gears in the rack units of the treatment layers 11, 12, and 13. Do. This is for preventing the generation of crystals and the generation of abnormal noise by injecting water into the sliding surface of the gear. For this reason, a flow path provided with a pump and an electromagnetic valve extends from the water supply tank 27 to all the tanks of each processing tank. The timing of water replenishment is also controlled by the output of the evaporation sensor 32.

Further, each replenishment tank 2
The flow passages extend to 4, 25, and 26, but this flow passage is one on the water supply tank side and one pump 10
It has only 0 and branches to three beyond it. Electromagnetic valves 24e, 25e, and 26e are provided in each of the branched flow paths to control the amount of water flowing in. Since one pump is used as a device for supplying water from the water supply tank 27 to each of the replenishment tanks 24, 25, and 26, the productivity of the entire device 1 is improved, and the size of the device can be reduced. Further, water is supplied to the water supply tank 27 from a water tap 35.

[Other Configurations] A temperature control device 70 is provided in each processing tank, and is controlled so that each processing liquid is maintained at a desired temperature. Further, a reuse tank 30 for reusing a part of the water from the above-mentioned stabilization tank 13 is provided between the stabilizing tank 13 and the replenisher tank 25 for fixing solution. <Detailed Configuration and Operation of Water Supply Device> Next, the configuration and operation of the water supply device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water supply device as one embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the water supply device is a device for supplying water for generating a replenisher from the water supply tank 27 to each of the replenishment tanks 24, 25, and 26. In the present embodiment, the first water supply tank 27 supplies the first water from the water supply tank 27. A first water supply pipe 27a, a second water supply pipe 24f, a third water supply pipe 25f to a developer replenishment tank 24, a second fixer replenishment tank 25, and a third stabilizer replenishment tank 26; The pump 100 and the second water supply pipe 24 provided in the fourth water supply pipe 26f and the first water supply pipe 27a
f, a third water supply pipe 25f, and a solenoid valve 24e, 25e, 26e provided in the fourth water supply pipe 26f.

The present apparatus drives one water supply pump 100, and controls the flow of water in water supply pipes 24f, 25f, 26f connected to each of the replenishment tanks 24, 25, 26 to an electromagnetic valve 24.
e, 25e, and 26e. This gives 1
Only by providing the upper limit detection sensor 24c in one replenishment tank (here, the developer replenishment tank 24), it is possible to accurately supply a desired amount of water to the other replenishment tanks.

Specifically, the following operation is performed.

First, a replenisher is supplied from each replenisher tank to each processing tank using the pump 10a in accordance with the number of processed photographic papers.

The amount of replenisher in one of the replenishment tanks decreases, and the lower limit detection sensor 24d, 25d, or 26d
However, when the shortage of the replenisher is detected, the pre-measured concentrated processing solution flows into the replenisher tank from the tube 24a, 25a, or 26a. After inflow of the concentrated solution,
The water supply pump 100 is operated, and the solenoid valve corresponding to the refill tank is opened.

For example, when the lower limit detection sensor 24d of the developing tank 24 detects the shortage of the replenisher, the solenoid valve 24e is opened. Then, the upper limit detection sensor 24 of the developing tank 24
When c detects the upper limit of the liquid level, the pump 100 and the solenoid valve 2
4e is stopped. By measuring the time during this time,
The amount of water supplied from the water supply pump 100 is calculated.

Next, when replenishing the processing liquid into the fixing processing tank 25 and the stable processing tank 26, the calculated supply amount (per unit time) is used, and the solenoid valve 25e or 2e is used for a desired time.
Open 6e. The calculation of these times is performed by counting the built-in clock by the central processing unit 33 based on the outputs of the upper and lower limit sensors, and the pump and the solenoid valve are controlled based on the result.

By using one water supply pump in this way, only one calibration of the water supply amount of the pump is required, and it is not necessary to provide an upper limit detection sensor in each replenishment tank. For this reason,
Sufficient replenishment accuracy can be obtained while reducing man-hours for inspection adjustment and the like.

Although the upper limit detection sensor 24c is provided only in the replenishment tank 24 in the above description, the upper limit detection sensor may be provided only in the other replenishment tanks.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water supply device as another embodiment of the present invention.

In this water supply device, as shown in the figure, upper limit detection sensors 24c, 25c and 26c are provided for each replenishment tank.

According to this embodiment, only one pump is required, and the upper limit of the liquid level can be accurately detected.

In the above description, the solenoid valve is used as the movable valve, but another movable valve may be used.

[0045]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water supply apparatus capable of accurately controlling the water supply amount and having excellent productivity, and a photosensitive material processing apparatus having the water supply apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall configuration of a photographic printing and developing apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a piping configuration of a processor unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a piping configuration of a processor unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water supply device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water supply device as another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional waste liquid treatment apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional waste liquid treatment apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photo printing and developing device 2 housing 3 printer unit 5 processor unit 6 dryer unit 8 transport unit 9 control unit 11 development processing tank 11c intermediate tank 12 fixing processing tank 13 stabilization processing tank 20 developing solution container 21 fixing solution container 22, 23 stable Liquid container 24 Developer replenishment tank 25 Fixer replenishment tank 26 Stabilizing solution replenishment tank 27 Water supply tank 28, 29, 281, 282 Waste liquid tank 24c Upper limit detection sensor 24d, 25d, 26d Lower limit detection sensor 24e, 25e, 26e Electromagnetic Valve 27a, 24f, 25f, 26f Water supply pipe 100 Water supply pump

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water supply device for supplying water from a water supply tank to at least two kinds of replenishment tanks for storing a replenishment treatment liquid, wherein one end of the water supply device is connected to the water supply tank to supply water. A second water supply pipe having one end connected to the first water supply pipe, the other end connected to the first refill tank, and one end connected to the first water supply pipe, and the other end connected to the second refill tank. And a third water supply pipe connected to the first water supply pipe, wherein the first water supply pipe is provided with a pump, and the other water supply pipes are each provided with a movable valve. 2. A replenishment tank having at least one of a replenishment tank and a liquid level in the replenishment tank having a lower limit detecting means for detecting a lower limit and an upper limit detecting means for detecting an upper limit, and the liquid level in the replenishment tank is a lower limit. After the lower limit detecting means detects that, after injecting a predetermined amount of the processing liquid into the replenishment tank, the movable valve is opened to supply water, and until the upper limit detecting means detects that the liquid level is at the upper limit. The water supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculating unit that calculates a water supply amount per unit time of the pump by measuring a time of the pump. 3. A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising the water supply device according to claim 1.