JP2001281831A - Heat developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a heat developing device which allows the reutilization of the heat used for heat development processing of recording sheets. SOLUTION: Heat transfer members 237 are arranged in the segments near the outlet side and inlet side of plate heaters 230a to 230d in a heat developing section 30. The heat transfer members 237 have discharge side heat transfer surfaces 237b for executing heat exchange with the recording sheets 20 discharged from the plate heaters 230a to 230d and advance side heat transfer surfaces 237a for executing heat exchange with the recording sheets 20 going to advance into the plate heaters 230a to 230d. In such a case, the heat accumulated in the recording sheets 20 via the heat transfer members 237 during the heat development processing is reused for preheating of the recording sheets 20 advancing into the plate heaters 230a to 230d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal developing apparatus for performing a thermal developing process on a recording sheet, and more particularly, to a thermal developing apparatus.
The present invention relates to a heat developing apparatus having means for reusing heat used in the heat development processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, there is known a heat developing apparatus for heating a recording sheet on which a latent image is formed by a heater or the like to visualize the latent image. In this heat developing apparatus, the recording sheet is supplied to the heater at a normal temperature, and the heat stored in the recording sheet after the heat development processing is discharged outside the apparatus.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned findings, and has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. The purpose is to provide.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a heat developing apparatus comprising: a heating section for heating a recording sheet to perform a heat development process; and a heating section for discharging the recording sheet and the heating section discharged from the heating section. A heat exchange unit for exchanging heat with the recording sheet to be entered (the invention according to claim 1).

[0005] Therefore, the heat stored in the recording sheet during the heat development processing in the heating unit can be reused for preheating the recording sheet supplied to the heating unit.

The heat exchange section includes a metal heat transfer member, and the heat transfer member includes an entry-side heat transfer surface facing a conveyance path of the recording sheet entering the heating section. And a discharge-side heat transfer surface facing a conveyance path of the recording sheet discharged from the heating unit (the invention according to claim 2).
Therefore, a heat exchange unit having a simple structure can be obtained.

[0007] In this case, the heat transfer member may be formed of a metal material containing aluminum or copper.

Further, the heat transfer member is a roller member,
The entrance-side heat transfer surface and the discharge-side heat transfer surface may be circumferential surfaces of the roller member (the invention according to claim 4). In this case, since the recording sheet is conveyed so as to be wound around the roller member, heat exchange between the recording sheet and the roller member is efficiently performed.

The heat exchange unit may include a heat absorbing unit that covers a conveyance path of the recording sheet discharged from the heating unit, a heating unit that covers a conveyance path of the recording sheet entering the heating unit, And a fluid conduction path for sending the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section to the heating section using the medium as a medium (the invention according to claim 5). This makes it possible to provide the heat exchange section even when the positions of the inlet side and the outlet side of the heating section are far from each other.

Further, the heat exchange section absorbs heat from the recording sheet discharged from the heating section,
A heat pipe may be provided for transmitting the absorbed heat to the recording sheet entering the heating unit.
Described invention). In this way, by configuring the heat transfer path between the inlet side and the outlet side of the heating unit with the heat pipe, simplification of the structure of the heat exchange unit is realized.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With respect to a heat developing apparatus according to the present invention, an image recording apparatus to which the apparatus is applied will be described as a preferred embodiment, and will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as a dry system. This dry system is
This is a system for developing (developing) the latent image on an image recording medium on which a latent image has been formed by irradiating a laser beam, using a dry development method that does not use a processing liquid.

The dry developing method includes the following (1) to
It is possible to adopt the method (4).

(1) A method in which a latent image is transferred to an image receiving material by superposing the photosensitive material on which the latent image is formed on the image receiving material and, if necessary, simultaneously applying pressure to the image receiving material. JP-A-5-113629,
JP-A-8-62803, JP-A-9-152705
JP, JP-A-9-258404, JP-A-9-6
1978, JP-A-10-71740, JP-A-11-288070, JP-A-10-25411
No. 1, JP-A-11-84610).

(2) A method of visualizing a latent image by superposing a photosensitive material on which a latent image is formed with a processing material and heating the same (for example, JP-A-9-274295, JP-A-11-212230) Reference).

(3) A photosensitive material having a photosensitive layer in which silver halide acting as a photocatalyst, silver salt acting as an image forming substance, a reducing agent for silver ions, and the like are dispersed in a binder is used. A method of visualizing a latent image by heating the photosensitive material to a predetermined temperature after forming an image {for example, "Thermally Processed Silver Systems" [D. Imaging Processes and Materials by Klosterboer
s and Materials) Neblette 8th edition, Sturgi (Stur
ge), V.I. Walworth, A .; Edited by Shepp, Chapter 9, pp. 279, 1989],
Research Disclosure 17029 (1978), EP
Nos. 803764A1, EP803765A1, and JP-A-8-212521.

(4) Photosensitivity comprising a thermoresponsive microcapsule containing a colorless electron-donating dye, a compound having an electron acceptor and a polymerizable vinyl monomer in the same molecule, and a photopolymerization initiator. A method using a light- and heat-sensitive recording material provided with a heat-sensitive recording layer (for example, see JP-A-4-249251), or a heat-responsive microcapsule containing a colorless electron-donating dye, an electron-accepting compound, A method using a light and heat sensitive recording material provided with a light and heat sensitive recording layer containing a polymerizable vinyl monomer and a photopolymerization initiator (see, for example, JP-A-4-21252).

In the above methods (1) and (2), a small amount of water may be added to the photosensitive material in order to promote the visualization of the latent image formed on the photosensitive material.

In this embodiment, the above (1) to (1)
The light-sensitive material and the light- and heat-sensitive recording material used in the method (4) are hereinafter collectively referred to as a heat-developable light-sensitive material.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus 10.

The image recording apparatus 10 is an apparatus for recording an image on a recording sheet 20 as an image recording medium made of a photothermographic material.

As shown in FIG. 1, a touch panel 14 is provided on the upper left portion of the front (operation surface) of the apparatus main body 12 of the image recording apparatus 10. This touch panel 1
Reference numeral 4 has an operation unit for operating the image recording apparatus 10 and a function of a monitor. An openable and closable door 16 is provided below the touch panel 14 in front of the apparatus main body 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 10
A sheet supply unit 22, a pre-conveyance unit 24, an image recording unit 26, a transfer unit 2
8, a heat development unit (heat development device) 30, and a discharge unit 34. The image recording apparatus 10 includes a sheet supply unit 22, a front conveyance unit 24, an image recording unit 26, and a transfer unit 2.
8, a control unit 36 for controlling the operation of the heat development unit 30 and the discharge unit 34.

A chamber 42 is formed substantially in the center of the apparatus main body 12 using light shielding plates 40a to 40c.
The sheet supply unit 22 is provided in the chamber 42.

The chamber 42 is divided into an upper chamber 42 by a light shielding plate 40b.
a and a lower chamber 42b. And the upper room 42
a is provided with an upper loading portion 44a and an upper sheet portion 46a, while a lower chamber 42b is provided with a lower loading portion 44b and a lower sheet portion 46b.

Magazines 48a and 48b are removably mounted on the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 44b, respectively. In these magazines 48a and 48b,
Each contains a plurality of recording sheets 20.

Usually, the recording sheets 20 of different sizes are stored in the magazines 48a and 48b, respectively. For example, the magazine 48a has an H-cut (half-cut) size (3
The recording sheet 20 of 5.4 cm × 43.0 cm) or B4 size is accommodated, and the magazine 48 b accommodates the recording sheet 20 of 6 pieces (20.3 cm × 25.4 cm).

As shown in FIG. 1, the door 16 provided on the front of the apparatus main body 12 has magazine mounting holes 50a, 50b.
Are formed. And, these magazine mounting holes 50
a, 50b, the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 4
The magazines 48a and 48b are attached to and detached from the 4b.

On the front side of the magazines 48a and 48b, shutter insertion holes 52a and 52b are formed, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, light-shielding shutters 54a and 54b are set on the left outer surface of the apparatus main body 12. The shutters 54a and 54b are provided in the upper and lower loading sections 44a and 44b, respectively.
After each of the magazines 48a and 48b is mounted,
And inserted into the upper surfaces of the magazines 48a and 48b.

The upper chamber 42a and the lower chamber 42b in FIG.
The upper sheet portion 46a and the lower sheet portion 46b provided in the upper right portion respectively have suction disks 60a and 60b, respectively. The suction disks 60a and 60b have
Displacement means (not shown) for displacing a and 60b are connected. Then, the suction disks 60a and 60b can freely enter the magazines 48a and 48b by the displacement means.

A roller pair 90 is arranged downstream of the suction plate 60a in the upper sheet portion 46a. A roller pair 92 is disposed downstream of the roller pair 90. A passage hole 94 communicating with the lower chamber 42b is formed at a position near the downstream side of the roller pair 92 in the light shielding plate 40b.

The light shielding plate 40c is formed with a passage hole 98 communicating with the outside of the lower chamber 42b. In FIG. 2, guide plates 102a and 102b are provided to extend from a position near the right side of the passage hole 94 in the light shielding plate 40b to a position near a right side of the passage hole 98 in the light shielding plate 40c. The guide plates 104a and 104 extend from a position near the left side of the passage hole 94 in the light shielding plate 40b to a position near the left side of the passage hole 98 in the light shielding plate 40c.
b is provided. In this case, these guide plates 102
The conveyance path of the recording sheet 20 is constituted by the space formed between the recording sheets 20a and 102b and the guide plates 104a and 104b.

The guide plates 102a and 102b are directly connected. On the other hand, the guide plates 104a and 104b are connected via a pair of rollers 106 arranged on the lower sheet portion 46b on the downstream side of the suction plate 60b.

The roller pair 92 and the roller pair 106 are each configured as a light shielding roller. in this case,
The roller pair 92 prevents light from entering the upper chamber 42a through the passage hole 94. In addition, the roller pair 106
The guide plate 102 passes through the passage hole 94 or the passage hole 98.
Light that has entered the space formed between the a and 102b and the guide plates 104a and 104b is further prevented from entering the lower loading portion 44b of the lower chamber 42b.

On the downstream side of the sheet supply unit 22, that is, at the lower right part inside the apparatus main body 12, the front transport unit 24
Is provided. The front transport unit 24 includes a roller pair 130 disposed near the passage hole 98 and a roller pair 130.
The roller pair 132 disposed downstream of the roller pair 130, and a width-shifting claw 134 disposed between the roller pairs 130 and 132. A displacement mechanism 136 for displacing the width shifting claw 134 in the width direction of the recording sheet 20 is provided on the width shifting claw 134.
Are connected. Further, a plate 138 is arranged in the front conveyance section 24 along the conveyance path of the recording sheet 20.

In the vicinity of the roller pair 132 on the downstream side of the roller pair 132, a correction roller 194 for correcting the transport direction of the recording sheet 20 is disposed.

An image recording section 26 for forming a latent image on the recording sheet 20 is provided on the downstream side of the front transport section 24, that is, on the lower left portion inside the apparatus main body 12. The image recording unit 26 includes a first roller pair 200 and a second roller pair 202 that are driven to rotate in synchronization with each other. These first and second roller pairs 200,
202 is openable and closable. In this case, the first and second roller pairs 200 and 202 form a sub-scanning mechanism 204 that conveys the recording sheet 20 in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2).

First and second roller pairs 200 and 202
Between them, a guide plate 206 and a pressing roller 208 for pressing the recording sheet 20 against the guide plate 206 are arranged. The pressing roller 208 is configured to be vertically displaceable so as to press the recording sheet 20 by its own weight. Such a pressing roller 2
By providing 08, it is possible to prevent the recording sheet 20 from becoming loose or the like.

Above the sub-scanning mechanism 204, an optical system 210 for irradiating the recording sheet 20 conveyed in the sub-scanning direction with laser light L in the main scanning direction (a direction substantially orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction). Is provided. In this case, the optical system 2
10, the second roller pair 202 and the pressing roller 20
8 is irradiated with the laser light L.

The optical system 210 includes, for example, two semiconductor lasers having a wavelength of 660 nm and an output of 30 mW as light sources. Laser beams output from these semiconductor lasers are multiplexed and further deflected by a rotating polygon mirror.
The laser beam L is scanned on the recording sheet 20 via the fθ lens. In this case, the beam diameter of the laser light L is 10
The pitch is set to 0 μm, and the pitch in the sub-scanning direction is set to 25 μm.

The laser beam L is scanned on the recording sheet 20 four times, for example, based on the same image information. That is, by scanning the laser beam L four times in the main scanning direction while shifting the position in the sub-scanning direction by 25 μm, an image (latent image) having a width of one pixel is formed on the recording sheet 20.
Is formed.

On the back side of the recording sheet 20 viewed from the optical system 210, a sensor 212 for detecting the position of the leading end of the recording sheet 20 is provided. A lens 214 for correcting a shift in the irradiation direction of the laser light L is disposed above the sensor 212 along the irradiation direction of the laser light L.

A transfer section 28 is provided on the downstream side of the image recording section 26, that is, on the left side inside the apparatus main body 12. The transfer unit 28 includes a pair of guide plates 220a and 220b provided near the downstream side of the second pair of rollers 202 constituting the image recording unit 26. Of the guide plates 220a and 220b, the guide plate 220a disposed outside is openable and closable about the rotation shaft 220c as a fulcrum.

A pair of rollers 221 is arranged downstream of the guide plates 220a and 220b, and a pair of guide plates 222a and 222b is arranged further downstream. Of the guide plates 222a and 222b, the guide plate 222a disposed outside is freely openable and closable about the rotation shaft 222c as a fulcrum.

Downstream of the guide plates 222a and 222b, two pairs of rollers 223 and 224 are arranged. A one-way clutch (not shown) for restricting rotation of the roller pairs 223 and 224 is connected to a rotation shaft (not shown) of the roller pairs 223 and 224. The cleaning roller 225 is located downstream of the roller pair 224.
Is arranged.

On the downstream side of the transfer section 28, that is, on the upper left portion inside the apparatus main body 12, heat for developing the latent image on the recording sheet on which the latent image is formed (thermal development) is used. A developing unit 30 is provided.

The thermal developing section 30 is provided with, for example, four plate heaters (heating sections) 230a to 230d for heating the recording sheet 20 and performing a thermal developing process. These plate heaters 230a to 230d are arranged on the same circumference. In addition, these plate heaters 230a
The inner surfaces 232a to 232d of the recording sheets 20 to 230d are formed in a substantially arc shape in cross section, and the conveying path of the recording sheet 20 is configured to be circumferential along the inner surfaces 232a to 232d.

For example, three pressing rollers 234 are in contact with the inner surfaces 232a to 232d of each of the plate heaters 230a to 230d. In addition, plate heater 2
Roller pairs 235 and 236 are arranged near the upstream side of 30a, and roller pairs 239 and 240 are arranged near the downstream side of the plate heater 230d.

Roller pair 235, 236 and Roller pair 2
39, 240, that is, a region extending from a position near the upstream side of the plate heaters 230a to 230d to a position near the downstream side of the plate heaters 230a to 230d.
The recording sheet 20 supplied to the 30d side and the recording sheet 20 discharged from the plate heaters 230a to 230d side
And a heat transfer member 237 that constitutes a heat exchange section for performing heat exchange between the heat transfer member and the heat transfer member.

The heat transfer member 237 is formed of a metal having excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper, or an alloy made of aluminum, copper, or the like.

The heat transfer member 237 includes the plate heater 23
0a to 230d, facing the recording sheet 20,
Alternatively, an entrance-side heat transfer surface 237a that performs heat exchange with the recording sheet 20 by contact is formed. The entrance-side heat transfer surface 237a and the entrance-side guide 23 provided to face the entrance-side heat transfer surface 237a.
8a, a conveyance path on the entrance side of the recording sheet 20 is formed.

The heat transfer member 237 has a recording sheet 20 discharged from the plate heaters 230a to 230d.
A discharge-side heat transfer surface 237b that performs heat exchange with the recording sheet 20 by being opposed to or in contact with the recording sheet 20 is formed. And, this discharge side heat transfer surface 237b
An exit-side conveyance path for the recording sheet 20 is formed between the recording sheet 20 and the exit-side guide 238b provided to face the discharge-side heat transfer surface 237b.

A sensor unit 242 for measuring the density of the image recorded on the recording sheet 20 is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance downstream from the roller pair 240.
The sensor unit 242 includes a light emitting element 242a and a light receiving element 242b. Further, the sensor unit 242 is connected to a displacement mechanism (not shown), and it is possible to change an arrangement position of the recording sheet 20 along the conveyance path by the displacement mechanism. In this case, by adjusting the position of the sensor unit 242, the density of the image can be measured after the recording sheet 20 is sufficiently cooled.

The heat developing section 30 includes an exhaust fan 243.
Is arranged. A fan is not provided in an area where the sheet supply unit 22, the front conveyance unit 24, the image recording unit 26, and the transfer unit 28 are arranged. For this reason,
These sheet supply unit 22, front conveyance unit 24, image recording unit 2
The generation of dust and the like in the transfer unit 6 and the transfer unit 28 is avoided.

A heat insulating material 244 is provided on the inner wall surface of the apparatus main body 12 so as to surround the heat developing section 30.
By providing the heat insulating material 244 in this manner, heat from the plate heaters 230a to 230d can
Is not transmitted to the recording sheet 20 discharged onto the discharge tray 292.

A discharge section 34 is provided on the downstream side of the heat developing section 30, that is, on the upper right portion inside the apparatus main body 12.

The discharge section 34 has a roller pair 250 and a movable guide plate 252 for switching the transport path, which is disposed downstream of the roller pair 250. The movable guide plate 252 is connected to a drive device (not shown) such as a solenoid, and is driven to rotate within a predetermined range around the rotation shaft 253 by the drive device.

At the downstream side of the movable guide plate 252, a first guide plate 254 constituting one transport path (lower transport path) of the recording sheet 20 and the other transport path (upper transport path) of the recording sheet 20 are provided. A second guide plate 256 that constitutes a (conveyance path) is disposed.

On the downstream side of the first guide plate 254,
A first outlet 258 is formed on the right side wall of the apparatus main body 12. Further, a roller pair 260 is arranged at a position close to the first discharge port 258. Hereinafter, a first discharge port 258 from the roller pair 260 will be described.
To the discharge tray 290 in the first discharge direction a.
It is written.

The second guide plate 256 is formed in a curved shape, and its downstream end is located in a protruding portion 262 formed in the upper right corner of the apparatus main body 12. A second outlet 266 is formed on the left side wall of the protrusion 262 on the downstream side of the second guide plate 256. Also,
At a position close to the second discharge port 266, a roller pair 268 is arranged. Hereinafter, the second pair from the roller pair 268
The direction toward the second discharge tray 292 via the discharge port 266 is referred to as a second discharge direction b.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
A first discharge tray 290 is attached to a position below the first discharge port 258 on the right side wall 2. The recording sheet 20 discharged from the first discharge port 258 is stored in the first discharge tray 290. FIG.
As shown in (2), a second discharge tray 292 is formed integrally with the apparatus main body 12 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 on the downstream side of the second discharge port 266.

The control unit 3 is provided at the bottom inside the apparatus main body 12.
6 are provided. The control unit 36 includes the control device 31
0 and a power supply device 312. The control unit 3
6 includes a cooling fan 31 for the power supply 312.
4 are arranged.

The image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
Basically, it is configured as above,
The operation and effect will be described.

First, the magazines 48a and 48b containing the recording sheets 20 are mounted on the upper loading section 44a and the lower loading section 44b, respectively (see FIG. 2). Then, based on the instruction to the touch panel 14, the magazine 48
The recording sheet 20 is taken out from either one of the recording sheets 20a and 48b.

The magazine 48 mounted on the upper loading section 44a
In a, by driving a displacement means (not shown) connected to the suction disk 60a, the suction disk 60a enters the magazine 48a and sucks the recording sheet 20.
Then, the recording sheet 20 is supplied to the roller pair 90 by driving the displacement means.

The recording sheet 20 is conveyed by a pair of rollers 90 and is supplied to a pair of rollers 92. Further, the recording sheet 20 is conveyed by the roller pair 92,
Through the guide plates 102a, 10a in the lower chamber 42b.
2b and the guide plates 104a and 104b.

On the other hand, in the magazine 48b mounted on the lower loading section 44b, by driving a displacement means (not shown) connected to the suction plate 60b, the suction plate 60b is driven.
b enters the magazine 48b and sucks the recording sheet 20. Then, the recording sheet 20 is supplied to the roller pair 106 by driving the displacement unit. Further, the recording sheet 20 is formed by the roller pair 106.
Guide plates 102a and 102b and guide plates 104a and
4b is sent downward.

Guide plates 102a, 102b and guide plate 1
04a, 104b, the recording sheet 20 sent between
The toner is supplied to the roller pair 130 constituting the front transport unit 24 through the passage hole 98. In the front transport section 24, the width shifting operation of the recording sheet 20 is performed by driving the displacement mechanism 136 to displace the width shifting claw 134.

The recording sheet 2 sent from the front transport section 24
0 is supplied to the first roller pair 200 constituting the sub-scanning mechanism 204 via the correction roller 194. At this time, the correction roller 194 corrects the transport direction of the recording sheet 20.

The recording sheet 20 supplied to the first roller pair 200 is further sent to the second roller pair 202. Then, the recording sheet 20 is rotated by the first and second roller pairs 200 and 20 which are rotated in synchronization with each other.
2, the paper is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). At this time, the recording sheet 20 is
08 is pressed against the guide plate 206.

When the recording sheet 20 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the first and second roller pairs 200 and 202, the laser light L from the optical system 210 is applied to the recording sheet 20.
Is irradiated in the main scanning direction to form a latent image on the recording sheet 20. At this time, the position of the leading end of the recording sheet 20 is confirmed by the sensor 212 that detects the laser light L from the optical system 210 via the lens 214.

The recording sheet 20 on which the latent image has been formed in the image recording section 26 is conveyed by a second roller pair 202. Then, the recording sheet 20 passes through the guide plates 220a and 220b constituting the transfer unit 28, and the pair of rollers 221.
Sent to Further, the recording sheet 20 includes a pair of rollers 22.
1 and is sequentially supplied to two pairs of rollers 223 and 224 via guide plates 222a and 222b.

A one-way clutch is connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the pair of rollers 223 and 224, and the rotation of the pair of rollers 223 and 224 is regulated by the one-way clutch.

The recording sheet 20 that has passed through the pair of rollers 223 and 224 is sent to the heat developing unit 30 after dust and the like are removed by the cleaning roller 225.

The recording sheet 20 includes a pair of rollers 235 and 23
6 is supplied sequentially to the plate heaters 230a to 230d. At this time, the recording sheet 20 is pressed by the pressing rollers 234 against the plate heaters 230a to 230d, and the plate heaters 230a to 230d are pressed.
Heat development with heat from Then, the recording sheet 20 after the heat development is conveyed to the downstream side via the roller pairs 239 and 240.

The transport speed of the recording sheet 20 by the pressing roller 234 is adjusted so as to be faster than the transport speed by the pair of rollers 223 and 224. this is,
This is to prevent the recording sheet 20 from being pushed between the plate heaters 230a to 230d and the pressing roller 234. A one-way clutch (not shown) is connected to the roller pairs 223 and 224, and the operation of the one-way clutch causes the roller pairs 223 and
The transfer of the recording sheet 20 from 24 to the heat development unit 30 is performed smoothly.

The recording sheet 20 has a pair of rollers 235 and 23
6, when passing through the plate heaters 230a to 230d through the entrance side heat transfer surface 237a of the heat transfer member 237 and the entrance side guide 238a.
9, 240 through plate heaters 230a to 230d
When the heat is transferred from the heat transfer member 237 to the discharge side heat transfer surface 2
It passes between 37b and the exit side guide 238b.

At the time of the thermal development processing by the plate heaters 230a to 230d, the recording sheet 20 is, for example, about 1 mm.
Heated to 21 ° C. Specifically, each time the plate heaters 230a to 230d pass, for example, about 112
C. to about 121.degree. C. and gradually heated. For this reason, the temperature of the recording sheet 20 immediately before entering between the discharge side heat transfer surface 237b and the exit side guide 238b is about 121
The temperature is close to ° C.

The heat held by the recording sheet 20 is caused by the fact that the recording sheet 20 is heated by the discharge side heat transfer surface 237 b and the exit side guide 23.
8b, the heat is transmitted to the heat transfer member 237 via the discharge side heat transfer surface 237b. That is, the heat is deprived by the heat transfer member 237, so that the plate heater 2
The recording sheet 20 discharged from 30a to 230d is cooled.

The heat transmitted to the heat transfer member 237 travels through the heat transfer member 237 and reaches the entrance-side heat transfer surface 237a. Then, the heat is transferred to the entrance-side heat transfer surface 237a and the entrance-side guide 238a through the entrance-side heat transfer surface 237a.
Is transmitted to the recording sheet 20 passing between the first and second recording sheets. That is, the recording sheet 20 that is about to enter the plate heaters 230a to 230d is preheated.

A sensor unit 242 is disposed downstream of the roller pair 240. The light emitting element 242a and the light receiving element 242b constituting the sensor unit 242 measure the density of the image recorded on the recording sheet 20. You. Then, the recording sheet 2 that has passed through the sensor unit 242
“0” is sent to the discharge unit 34.

The recording sheet 20 supplied to the roller pair 250 of the discharge section 34 is conveyed by the roller pair 250. At this time, the conveyance path of the recording sheet 20 is a roller pair 2
Switching is performed by a movable guide plate 252 provided on the downstream side of 50. When the movable guide plate 252 is shifted downward, the recording sheet 20 is moved to the first guide plate 25.
4 while the movable guide plate 252 is shifted upward, the recording sheet 2
0 is sent to the upper conveyance path along the second guide plate 256.

The recording sheet 20 sent to the lower conveying path
Is supplied to the roller pair 260 via the first guide plate 254, and the first discharge port 258 is supplied by the roller pair 260.
Sent to Then, the first discharge port 258
Are discharged along the discharge direction a of the first discharge port 258.
Is stored in a first discharge tray 290 provided below the printer.

On the other hand, the recording sheet 20 sent to the upper conveyance path is moved along a second guide plate 256 by a pair of rollers 268.
Supplied to Then, the sheet is sent to the second discharge port 266 by the roller pair 268, and is discharged onto the second discharge tray 292 from the second discharge port 266 in the second discharge direction b.

In this case, in the heat developing section 30 of the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the heat transfer member 237
Heat exchange is performed between the recording sheet 20 entering the plate heaters 230a to 230d and the recording sheet 20 discharged from the plate heaters 230a to 230d.

In particular, by preheating the recording sheet 20 entering the plate heaters 230a to 230d by this heat exchange, the plate heaters 230a to 230d are heated.
(In particular, the load on the first plate heater 230a) can be reduced.

As described above, the plate heaters 230a-2
By making effective use of the heat stored in the recording sheet 20 during the heat development processing at 30d, the image recording apparatus 10
Overall power consumption can be reduced.

In this case, since heat is removed from the recording sheet 20 after the heat treatment, the amount of heat discharged outside the image recording apparatus 10 can be reduced. Further, the recording sheet 20
It is also possible to reduce the size of the image recording apparatus 10 by reducing the area for cooling the image recording apparatus.

Further, since the heat exchanging section for performing the above heat exchange is composed of the heat transfer member 237, the entrance side guide 238a, the exit side guide 238b, etc., the structure is simple.

Next, the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
Various modifications of 0 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a heat developing section 412 of an image recording apparatus 410 according to a first modification. Thermal development unit 412
Has a roller member 420 that constitutes a heat exchange unit in place of the heat transfer member 237 of FIG. This roller member 42
0 is made of a metal such as aluminum or copper, or an alloy made of these aluminum, copper or the like.

For example, two inlet side press rollers 434 and 436 and outlet side press rollers 438 and 440 are in contact with the roller member 420, respectively.

In this case, the recording sheet 20 sequentially supplied from the roller pair 235 to between the roller member 420 and the entrance-side pressing rollers 434 and 436 passes through the roller pair 235 via these rollers.
36. At this time, the recording sheet 20 is conveyed so as to be wound around the circumferential surface (outer peripheral surface) 444 of the roller member 420 as the roller member 420 rotates.

Similarly, from the roller pair 239 to the roller member 4
The recording sheet 20 sequentially supplied between the recording sheet 20 and the outlet side pressing rollers 438 and 440 passes through the roller pair 24
Sent to 0. At this time, the recording sheet 20 is conveyed so as to be wound around the circumferential surface 444 of the roller member 420 as the roller member 420 rotates.

The recording sheet 20 sent from the plate heaters 230a to 230d to the roller member 420 holds the heat given from the plate heaters 230a to 230d. This heat is transmitted to the roller member 420 when the recording sheet 20 is conveyed while being in contact with the circumferential surface 444 of the roller member 420, further transmitted through the roller member 420, and the surface layer of the roller member 420. Held in pieces. This heat is generated by the plate heaters 230a to 230a to 23d.
The recording sheet 20 sent to the 0d side is
The sheet is conveyed to the recording sheet 20 when the sheet is conveyed while being in contact with the 0 circumferential surface 444.

That is, the circumferential surface 44 of the roller member 420
Reference numeral 4 denotes an exit heat transfer surface that exchanges heat with the recording sheet 20 that enters the plate heaters 230a to 230d, and a discharge that exchanges heat between the recording sheet 20 discharged from the plate heaters 230a to 230d. It has both functions of the side heat transfer surface.

In this case, since the recording sheet 20 is conveyed while being wound around the roller member 420, heat exchange between the recording sheet 20 and the roller member 420 is efficiently performed.

FIG. 4 shows a heat developing section 512 of an image recording apparatus 510 according to a second modification. Thermal development unit 512
Are, for example, plate heaters (heating units) 514a to 514e arranged linearly and these plate heaters 5
A plurality of pressing rollers 516 for transporting the recording sheet 20 while pressing the recording sheet 20 against 14a to 514e are provided.

In the vicinity of the outlet side of the plate heaters 514a to 514e, the plate heaters 514a to 514e are provided.
Exit side covers 520 and 522 are provided so as to cover the conveyance path of the recording sheet 20 discharged from e from left and right.

Exit cover 5 arranged on the right side of the transport path
The right end of 22 is open. On the other hand, the outlet-side cover 520 disposed on the left side communicates with an inlet-side cover 526 to be described later via a duct (fluid conduction path) 524. Further, a fan 528 for sending air to the duct 524 side is provided in the outlet side cover 520.

In the vicinity of the entrance side of the plate heaters 514a to 514e, the plate heaters 514a to 514e are provided.
The entrance-side covers 526 and 530 are provided so as to cover the conveyance path of the recording sheet 20 that is going to enter e from the left and right.

The entrance side cover 5 arranged on the right side of the transport path
The right end of 30 is closed. On the other hand, the inlet-side cover 526 disposed on the left side communicates with the outlet-side cover 520 via the duct 524. Also, the entrance side cover 52
6, a pair of guide members 532a and 532b for guiding the recording sheet 20 are provided.

In this case, the plate heaters 514a-514
The heat stored in the recording sheet 20 during the heat development process 4e is released in the area covered by the outlet side covers 520, 522. Then, this heat is transmitted between the inlet side covers 526 and 530 by the air flowing through the duct 524 by the fan 528 as a medium,
The information is transmitted to the recording sheet 20 that is about to enter 14a to 514e.

That is, the recording sheet 20 is cooled by radiating heat at the heat absorbing portion composed of the outlet covers 520 and 522, and is composed of the entrance covers 526 and 530 by the released heat. Preheated in the heating section. In other words, the plate heater 514
The heat held by the recording sheet 20 on the exit side of a to 514e is reused for preheating the recording sheet 20 on the entrance side.

In this case, the guide members 532a, 532b
To retain heat, and guide members 532a, 532b
The recording sheet 20 may be heated by bringing the recording sheet 20 into contact with the recording sheet 20.

As described above, the plate heaters 514a to 514a-5
The inlet side and the outlet side of 14e are connected by a duct 524, and
The heat exchange unit is configured to transfer the heat held by the recording sheet 20 at the exit side to the recording sheet 20 at the entrance side using air or the like as a fluid as a medium, so that the entrance side of the plate heaters 514a to 514e. It is possible to provide a heat exchange section even when the position on the outlet side is away from the position on the outlet side.

FIG. 5 shows a heat developing section 612 of an image recording apparatus 610 according to the third modification. Thermal development unit 612
Is a heat pipe 61 constituting a heat exchange section instead of the duct 524 and the fan 528 of the heat development section 512 in FIG.
4 is provided.

The heat pipe 614 is configured to move heat by combining the function of absorbing heat when liquid evaporates and the function of releasing heat when gas liquefies. In this case, the gas in the heat pipe 614 moves by convection generated based on the concentration difference, and the liquid moves by capillary action.

Both ends of the heat pipe 614 are attached to the outlet cover 620 and the inlet cover 626, respectively. Note that, inside the entrance-side cover 626, the end of the heat pipe 614 may be connected to the guide member 532a using a bracket 634 or the like.

The outlet side cover 520 and the outlet side cover 522
The heat released from the recording sheet 20 is transferred between the entrance-side cover 626 and the entrance-side cover 530 by the heat pipe 614. Then, the entrance side cover 626
Of the recording sheet 2 passing between the guide members 532a and 532b.
0 is transmitted.

In this case, the plate heaters 514a-514
By configuring the heat transfer path between the inlet side and the outlet side of 4e (see FIG. 4) by the heat pipe 614, the structure of the heat exchange unit is simplified as compared with the case where the duct 524 or the like (see FIG. 4) is used. Is realized.

FIG. 6 shows a heat developing section 712 of an image recording apparatus 710 according to a fourth modification. Thermal development unit 712
Has a heat exchange guide 720 constituting a heat exchange unit instead of the heat transfer member 237 of FIG. The heat exchange guide 720 includes the recording sheet 20 that is going to enter the plate heaters 230a to 230d and the plate heater 23.
The recording sheets 20 discharged from Oa to 230d are brought into direct contact with each other, so that heat is exchanged between the recording sheets 20.

Specifically, the heat exchange guide 72
0 is an introduction / departure unit 7 provided at each end of the unit
22a, 722b and these introduction / derivation units 722a, 722
Side guides 724 (only the rear side guide 724 is shown in FIG. 6) provided on both sides of the heat exchange guide 720 so as to connect the heat exchange guides 22b. . And these introduction / derivation units 722a, 722b
And a portion surrounded by the side guide portion 724 includes a window portion 7.
26 are formed.

In this case, the recording sheet 20 sent to the heat exchange guide 720 via the roller pair 235 is arranged in the order of the introduction / lead-out section 722b, the side guide section 724, and the introduction / lead-out section 722a. The sheet is conveyed while being in contact with the side surface, and then supplied to the plate heaters 230a to 230d via the roller pair 236.

The plate heaters 230a to 230d
Is discharged to the heat exchange guide 720 via the roller pair 239, and is introduced into the introduction / lead-out section 72.
2a, side guide part 724 and introduction / departure part 722b
In contact with these right side surfaces in the order of
It is transported to the 0 side.

At this time, portions of the recording sheet 20 conveyed on the right side of the heat exchange guide 720 and the recording sheet 20 conveyed on the left side, facing the window 726, are provided on both sides of the window 726. Roller 730a,
730b and contact each other. Then, heat exchange is performed directly between the recording sheets 20.

As described above, the plate heaters 230a to 230a-2
30d, the recording sheet 20 and the plate heater 2
By directly performing heat exchange with the recording sheet 20 discharged from 30a to 230d, the heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

[0118]

The thermal developing apparatus according to the present invention has a heat exchanging section for exchanging heat between the recording sheet discharged from the heating section and the recording sheet to enter the heating section. In this case, the power used in the thermal developing device is reduced by preheating the recording sheet entering the heating unit by reusing the heat used for performing the thermal development processing on the recording sheet in the heating unit. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a configuration of the image recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a heat developing unit of an image recording apparatus according to a first modification.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a heat developing unit of an image recording apparatus according to a second modification.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a heat developing unit of an image recording apparatus according to a third modification.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a heat developing unit of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 410, 510, 610, 710: Image recording device 30, 412, 512, 612, 712: Thermal developing units 230a to 230d, 514a to 514e: Plate heater 237: Heat transfer member 237a: Entry side heat transfer surface 237b ... Discharge-side heat transfer surface 238a Inlet guide 238b Outlet guide 420 Roller members 434, 436 Inlet hold down rollers 438, 440 Outlet hold down rollers 444 Circumferential surfaces 520, 522, 6
20: outlet side cover 524: duct 526, 530, 6
26 ... inlet side cover 528 ... fan 532a, 532b
... Guide member 614 ... Heat pipe 720 ... Guide for heat exchange 726 ... Window 730a, 730b
… Nipping roller

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heating section for heating a recording sheet to perform a thermal development process, heat between the recording sheet discharged from the heating section, and the recording sheet to enter the heating section. A heat exchange unit for performing exchange. 2. The heat developing device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange unit includes a metal heat transfer member, and the heat transfer member includes a conveyance path for the recording sheet entering the heating unit. And a discharge-side heat transfer surface facing a conveyance path of the recording sheet discharged from the heating unit. 3. The heat developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said heat transfer member is formed of a metal material containing aluminum or copper. 4. A heat developing device according to claim 2, wherein said heat transfer member is a roller member, and said entrance-side heat transfer surface and said discharge-side heat transfer surface are circumferential surfaces of said roller member. A heat developing device. 5. The heat developing device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange unit includes a heat absorbing unit that covers a conveyance path of the recording sheet discharged from the heating unit, and a heat absorbing unit that covers the recording sheet entering the heating unit. A heat developing device, comprising: a heat application unit that covers a transport path; and a fluid conduction path that sends heat absorbed by the heat absorption unit to the heat application unit using a fluid as a medium. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange section absorbs heat from the recording sheet discharged from the heating section and enters the absorbed heat into the heating section. A heat developing device comprising a heat pipe for transmitting a sheet.