JP2002107896A - Solution-supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solution-supplying device, which is small in size and is compact. SOLUTION: The solution-supplying device 1 has an air pump 13, having an air chamber 14, disposed integrally in the upper part of a stock tank 4. One side of the air chamber 14 is provided with a freely undulating elastic wall 15, and the device 1 is provided with an intake valve 17 for taking the air from the stock tank 4 into the air chamber 14 and an exhaust valve 19 for exhausting the air outside from the air chamber 14. A disk-shaped member 23 for eccentrically driving a revolving shaft 20 of a motor 21, accompanying the rotational drive of the motor 21 is mounted at this revolving shaft. A connection member 24 for connecting the prescribed position of the disk-like member 23 and the elastic wall 15 is adapted, so as to be eccentrically driven by the disk-like member 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a processing solution when a silver halide photographic material is processed using an automatic processor. The present invention also relates to, for example, an air pump used in such a solution supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a development process after image exposure of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, processing solutions such as a developing solution, a bleaching solution and a fixing solution are used. Generally, an automatic developing machine is used for these development processes, and the processing solutions are replenished as necessary in order to keep the activity and composition of each processing solution constant. Each processing solution is
Since each of them is supplied in the form of a concentrated liquid composed of a plurality of parts, it is necessary to adjust the concentration by diluting with water to a predetermined concentration at the time of use. However, since this dilution needs to be performed accurately, it is not only very troublesome to adjust so as not to cause dissolution mistakes or contamination, and also the splash of the liquid at the time of adjustment may cause damage to the human body, clothes, peripheral equipment, etc. There is a problem that contamination easily occurs.

In order to solve these problems, a suction nozzle is connected to a processing solution supply container to directly feed a processing solution undiluted solution.
A number of methods have been proposed for replenishing without adjusting the processing solution by supplying the processing tank with a predetermined amount of water from a separately provided diluting water stock tank while supplying it into the processing tank of the automatic processor. I have.

In particular, a flexible container disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-2995 is used to prevent the contact between the stock solution and air when the stock solution in the container is reduced, and to reduce the distance between the container and the liquid feed pump. The replenishment method using a device equipped with an out-of-liquid sensing device that senses that the liquid in the container has run out by sensing the expansion of the gas has the advantage that the processing solution stock solution has good stability and the container can be easily replaced. This is an excellent method.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned system, when air exceeding the assumed allowable amount is mixed into the flow path, the liquid shortage detecting device malfunctions. For this reason, when enclosing the processing solution undiluted solution in a container to make a product,
It was necessary to strictly control the amount of air mixed into the container. In addition, even if the amount of air in the container is strictly controlled, if the sealed liquid generates gas with the passage of time, it is highly likely that gas exceeding an allowable amount is mixed into the flow path, so that the liquid is used. I couldn't do that.

Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to forcibly exhaust gas mixed in the flow path by an air pump.
As a more specific example, the above-mentioned liquid shortage detecting device arranges a liquid level sensor that detects the liquid level of the liquid in a stock tank, for example, and detects the liquid level when the liquid level sensor cannot detect the liquid level. The air pump is connected to the upper part of such a stock tank, and the gas accumulated in the upper part of the stock tank is forcibly exhausted through the air pump. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of the liquid shortage detecting device.

[0007] By the way, there has been a tendency to increase the number of examples of providing an output service such as the recent demand for silver halide print output from digital media. Further, such an output service is about to be started not only in a conventional specialty store but also in a small store such as a convenience store. In such a case, an automatic developing machine is required to be as small as possible in order to reduce the installation area.

However, in the configuration in which the air pump is arranged in addition to the processing tank, the supply container for the processing liquid, the dilution water stock tank, and the stock tank for the liquid shortage detecting device as described above, the size of the automatic developing machine increases. There is a problem that this is contrary to the demand for miniaturization.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and a large amount of gas is mixed in a flow path in a solution supply system which is excellent in stability of a stock solution of a processing solution and in which a container can be easily replaced. An object of the present invention is to provide a solution supply device that does not malfunction even if the device is operated, and further suppresses the size of the device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air pump that is optimal for configuring, for example, the above-described solution supply device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a solution supply device comprising: a stock tank to which the solution is supplied from a container in which the solution is sealed; and a liquid sending device for sending the solution in the stock tank to a solution supply destination. A pump and an air chamber disposed above the stock tank and having a variable volume; sucking air from the stock tank into the air chamber via an intake valve; And an air pump for exhausting air.

According to such a configuration of the present invention, since the air pump having the air chamber whose volume can be varied is used, the air pump itself is small, and further, the integration with the stock tank is easy. is there. Thereby, the size of the device can be reduced. In particular, since the liquid supply device of the present invention uses an air pump that draws air from the inside of the stock tank into the air chamber via the intake valve, it is optimal to install the pump on the upper part of the stock tank. By disposing the pump at the position, the installation area can be reduced as compared with a case where the stock tank and the pump are separately disposed, and this contributes to downsizing of a solution processing apparatus such as an automatic developing machine.

Preferably, the air pump includes an elastic wall provided in the air chamber, the elastic wall having an uneven shape, and a driving unit for making the elastic wall uneven. According to such a configuration, the elastic wall which can be made uneven is made uneven by the driving section, thereby functioning as an air pump. Therefore, the stroke of the driving portion can be reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the apparatus. In particular, a drive unit, a motor having a rotating shaft, a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft so as to rotate eccentrically, and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member to the elastic wall. With such a configuration, the stroke of the driving portion can be further reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the device.

Further, the whole or a part of the air chamber may be formed in a bellows shape so as to be freely expandable and contractable, and the air pump may be provided with a drive unit for expanding and contracting the bellows-like air chamber. Also with such a configuration, the stroke of the driving portion can be reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the device. Also in this case, similarly to the above, the driving unit includes a motor having a rotating shaft, for example, a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft so as to rotate eccentrically, a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member, and the bellows. And a connecting member for connecting the air chamber to the air chamber.

Further, the solution supply device having the above-mentioned structure is provided with a sensor for detecting a predetermined liquid level in the stock tank, and a controller for controlling the operation of the air pump based on a detection result by the sensor. You may. This makes it possible to prevent a malfunction of the liquid shortage detection with a very simple configuration. In this case, preferably, after operating the air pump based on the detection result by the sensor, the controller issues a predetermined notification when a predetermined liquid level is not detected by the sensor even after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is characterized by performing. This makes it possible to detect liquid shortage with a simple configuration.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a stock tank to which the solution is supplied from a container in which the solution is sealed, a solution sending pump for sending the solution in the stock tank to a solution supply destination, An air chamber provided integrally with the upper portion of the stock tank and having an elastic wall on one side that can be uneven, an intake valve for sucking air from the stock tank into the air chamber, and exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside. An exhaust valve, a motor having a rotating shaft and a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft so as to rotate eccentrically, for example, and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member and the elastic wall. There is provided a solution supply device, comprising: In this case, a stepped portion is provided on an upper portion of the stock tank, the elastic wall is provided on a side surface of the stepped portion, and the motor, the disc-shaped member, and the connecting member are arranged on the stepped portion. It is preferable to configure. As a result, it is possible to achieve a configuration that does not waste space.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a stock tank to which the solution is supplied from a container in which the solution is sealed, a solution pump for sending the solution in the stock tank to a solution supply destination, An air chamber that is provided integrally with the upper portion of the stock tank and that is entirely or partially formed in a bellows-like and extensible manner, an intake valve for sucking air from the stock tank into the air chamber, An exhaust valve for exhausting to the outside, a motor having a rotating shaft, for example, a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft so as to rotate eccentrically, a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member, and the bellows-like air And a connecting member for connecting the chamber with the solution supply device. Also in this case, by arranging the motor and the disk-shaped member above or below the stock tank, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which space is not wasted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air chamber having an elastic wall on one side, which can be configured to be uneven, an intake valve for sucking air from the outside into the air chamber, and exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside. Exhaust valve, a motor having a rotating shaft, a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft so as to rotate eccentrically, and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member to the elastic wall. An air pump is provided, comprising: By using such an air pump, it is possible to realize a solution supply device in which the size of the device is suppressed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air chamber entirely or partially formed in a bellows shape and capable of expanding and contracting, and an intake valve for sucking air from outside into the air chamber.
An exhaust valve for exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside, a motor having a rotating shaft, for example, a disk-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft so as to rotate eccentrically, and a predetermined position of the disk-shaped member; An air pump is provided, comprising: a connecting member that connects the bellows-shaped air chamber. The use of such an air pump also makes it possible to realize a solution supply apparatus in which the size of the apparatus is suppressed.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a solution supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and the solution supply device of the present invention is applied to a replenishing device of an automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic material. Things. In this case, for example, one supply device shown in FIG. 1 is provided for each of the processing solutions of color development, bleach-fixing, and chemical rinsing. When the processing liquid is divided into a plurality of part liquids, one supply device is provided for each part liquid.
Since the operation of each solution supply device is the same even if the processing liquid is changed, the following description will be made for one set of solution supply devices.

The solution supply device 1 includes a stock tank 4 for temporarily storing the processing solution stock solution 2 supplied from a package 3 serving as a container containing the processing solution stock solution 2 and separating the solution into a gas and a liquid. A processing tank 5 in an automatic developing machine as a solution supply destination for the processing solution stock solution 2 via a stock tank 4
Pump 6 composed of, for example, a bellows pump
It is mainly composed of In the processing tank 5 in the automatic processor,
In addition to the undiluted processing liquid, a predetermined amount of water is supplied from a diluting water stock tank (not shown), adjusted to a desired concentration in the processing tank 5, and used for the development processing. A sub-tank may be provided in front of the processing tank 5 so that the processing liquid and the dilution water are supplied to the sub-tank, and after sufficient mixing, the sub-tank may be supplied to the processing tank 5.

Processing solution stock solution 2 stored in package 3
Is sucked out by the operation of the liquid feed pump 6 installed between the stock tank 4 and the processing tank 5, and is supplied to the processing tank 5 through the probe 7, the tube 8, the stock tank 4, and the tube 9. The probe 7 attached to the tip of the tube 8 is inserted into the package 3, and the other end is connected to the upper part of the stock tank 4. Tube 9
One end is connected to the lower part of the stock tank 4, the other end is connected to the processing tank 5, and a liquid feed pump 6 is arranged on the way.

The package 3 is made of a polymer compound and is designed so that its shape can be changed in accordance with the capacity. For this reason, when the amount of the processing solution stock solution 2 in the package 3 is reduced, the package 3 is crushed in accordance with its content, so that the processing solution stock solution does not come into contact with the outside air in the package 3. Also, the probe 7 at the tip of the tube 8 pierces the package 3,
Since the stock solution of the processing solution in the package 3 is supplied to the outside of the package 3 through the tube 8, the material leaks from the piercing portion even in such a piercing method by selecting the material of the package 3 as described later. The airtightness can be maintained without intrusion of the outside air, and the supply of the stock solution of the processing liquid in the package 3 without liquid deterioration can be completed. In order to adopt the piercing method, it is preferable that at least one layer of the package 3 used is formed of a polymer compound film having a low tensile strength. Examples of the polymer compound having a low tensile strength include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, undrawn nylon, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl acetate, and ionomers. Among these, a polyolefin-based resin is particularly preferably used because the used container is not easily damaged during transportation. PE is a typical polyolefin resin.
(Polyethylene) and LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene). The gas barrier properties of the package 3 can be improved by laminating one or both surfaces of these polymer compound films having a low tensile strength with a film having a high tensile strength as described below to form a multilayer film. Examples of the film having a large tensile strength include those made of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin such as Eval, polyethylene terephthalate, stretched nylon, vinylidene chloride, polystyrene, ceramic, aluminum, or the like.

The structure of the multilayer film particularly preferably used in the package 3 used in the present embodiment is shown below from the outside.

(1) Ny (stretched nylon) / LLDPE
(Linear low density polyethylene) (2) Ny / PVDC (vinylidene chloride) / LLDPE (3) Ny / SiOx / LLDPE (4) Ny / EvOH (Eval) / LLDPE (5) PET (polyethylene terephthalate) / LLD
PE (6) PET / PVDC / LLDPE (7) PET / EvOH / LLDPE The multilayer film package 3 having these configurations is
Even if the probe 7 is inserted into the package 3 by piercing, the solution does not leak out from the punctured portion, and the airtightness is not lost due to the invasion of outside air.

In the present embodiment, one package is provided for each of the packages according to the concentration of each processing solution.
５5000 ml of the processing solution stock solution is contained. The tube 8 has a P diameter of 1 to 8 mm, preferably 3 to 6 mm.
A soft material such as VC (polyvinyl chloride) or Teflon (registered trademark) can be used.
Is made of, for example, metal so as to be easily pierced and has a sharp shape.

The package 3 is stored in a tray 10. Package 3 already set in tray 10
Is replaced with an unused new package when the stock solution is empty. When the package 3 is replaced, the arm 11 is opened (dotted line), the package 3 is replaced from above, and then the arm 11 is closed to close the distal end of the tube 8 penetrating through the inside of the arm 11. The probe 7 is configured to pierce the package 3. Here, in order to improve the impact resistance, the package 3 may be housed in an outer box made of cardboard or the like, and may be configured to be set on a tray while being housed in the outer box. In order to prevent another processing liquid package from being loaded on the wrong tray, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for preventing the tray or the outer box from being loaded incorrectly. For example, there is a method in which a convex portion is provided on the bottom surface of the tray and a hole is formed in the outer box so as to fit the convex portion, so that when the positions do not match, the package 3 cannot be loaded on the tray. Further, the arm 11 is provided with an LED 12 which is turned on to notify the user of the replacement of the package. It is desirable to provide the following safety mechanism for the operation of the arm 11. For example, if the arm 11 is turned back during the process of closing the arm 11 and piercing the probe 7 at the tip of the tube 8 into the package 3, the package 3 will be pierced twice. In the case of such a double stab, not only the airtightness of the container cannot be maintained but also there is a possibility that the solution may leak. In order to prevent such an accident, it is desirable to use a ratchet or the like for the arm 11 and provide a safety mechanism for preventing the arm 11 from returning after the arm 11 has entered the closing operation. Further, in order to prevent an accident that the arm 11 is opened during the solution supply and the probe 7 comes off from the package 3, once the arm 11 is closed, the solution in the package 3 becomes empty. It is desirable to provide a safety mechanism such as an interlock so that the arm 11 cannot be opened without performing a special operation until the event is detected.

The stock tank 4 is made of a pressure-resistant material such as vinyl chloride, acrylic, polycarbonate and the like. The stock tank 4 has a shape having a stepped portion 4a toward the package 3 at an upper portion thereof.
It has a capacity of about ml. In addition, an air pump 13 is integrated with the stock tank 4 at the upper part of the stock tank 4 to forcibly exhaust the gas accumulated in the upper part of the stock tank 4 to prevent a malfunction of liquid shortage detection described later. Is provided.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the air pump 13, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining the operation of the air pump 13.

The air pump 13 has an air chamber 14 provided integrally with the upper part of the stock tank 4. On the package 3 side of the air chamber 14, there is provided a resilient wall 15 made of an elastic material, for example, silicone rubber and having, for example, a circular and uneven shape. An intake valve 17 for taking in air from the stock tank 4 into the air chamber 14 is attached to a partition wall 16 between the air chamber 14 and the stock tank 4. Further, an exhaust valve 19 for exhausting air from the inside of the air chamber 14 to the outside is attached to the upper wall 18 of the air chamber 14.

A motor 21 having a rotating shaft 20 is arranged in the stepped portion 4a. The motor 21 is attached to a side wall of the stepped portion 4a via an attachment member 22, for example. Further, a disc-shaped member 23 for eccentric driving with the rotation of the motor 21 is attached to the rotating shaft 20. The connecting member 24 for connecting the predetermined position of the disc-shaped member 23 and the elastic wall 15 is formed by the disc-shaped member 23.
Eccentric drive. Such eccentric drive can be realized, for example, by attaching the rotating shaft 20 of the motor 21 to a position other than the center of the disc-shaped member 23, or by attaching the connecting member 24 to a position other than the center of the disc-shaped member 23. It can be realized, or even both. By such eccentric driving, the driving force is converted so that the rotational drive of the motor 20 moves the connecting member 24 forward and backward with respect to the elastic wall 15, and as shown in FIG. The air chamber 15 is evacuated by reducing the volume of the air chamber 15 by recessing the air chamber 15, and the volume of the air chamber 15 is expanded by projecting the elastic wall 15 as shown in FIG. Thus, the air in the air chamber 15 can be sucked. That is, the rotation of the motor 20 makes it possible to forcibly exhaust the stock tank 4 through the air chamber 15.

In the stock tank 4, a flow sensor 25 serving as a gas mixture detection sensor that operates when the amount of gas accumulated in the upper portion of the stock tank 4 exceeds a certain amount and a sensor that senses a shortage of liquid in the package 3. Is arranged. As the sensor, a sensor capable of sensing the liquid level can be used, and in this embodiment, a float sensor is used. The float sensor 25 includes the float 26 and the sensing unit 2.
7 In this type of float sensor, when the portion where the float sensor is installed is filled with the solution 28, the float 26 and the sensing portion 27 are in contact with each other due to the buoyancy of the float 26, and the gas reaches the float sensor installation portion. The float 26 is separated from the sensing unit 27, whereby a signal is sent to the control unit 29 to operate or stop the air pump 13, stop the liquid sending pump 6, turn on the LED 12, and the like.

Next, the solution supply device 1 according to this embodiment
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a case where the package 3 is immediately replaced after the processing solution stock solution in the package 3 set on the tray 10 becomes empty will be described. An unused package 3 is set in the solution supply device 1 (step 401).

After the package 3 is set, if a reset operation such as pressing a reset button (not shown) is performed (step 402), the LED 12 is turned off,
The operation of the air pump 13 is started (step 40).
3). Due to the suction force of the air pump 13, the package 3
The processing solution stock solution is sucked into the stock tank 4 and the float 26 of the float sensor 25 rises (step 404).

When the float 26 of the float sensor 25 rises to the position of the sensing portion 27, the operation of the air pump 13 is stopped (step 405), and the interlock is turned on (step 406). The ON state of the interlock is a setting in which the arm 11 cannot be opened without performing a special operation, and thereby it is possible to enhance safety.

After the reset is completed, the liquid supply pump 6 is operated in accordance with the replenishment request to the processing tank 5, and the undiluted processing liquid in the package 3 is sucked out and supplied to the processing tank 5 through the stock tank 4. Is done. Along with this, the processing solution stock solution in the package 3 is reduced, and the package 3 is crushed accordingly.

If air is mixed in the package 3,
If a large amount of gas is mixed in the package 3 due to the generation of gas from the solution in the package 3 with the lapse of time during storage of the product, the gas is also sucked in with the supply of the solution, and (Step 40).
7). These mixed gases are quickly separated from the solution in the stock tank 4 and stored in the upper portion of the stock tank 4. As a result, the liquid level falls from the float sensor 25, and the float sensor 25 senses a decrease in the liquid level (step 408), whereby a signal is sent to the control unit 28 to operate the air pump 13 (step 408). 409).

When the air pump 13 operates, the gas is discharged out of the stock tank 4, and the level of the processing solution stock solution 28 in the stock tank 4 rises and the air pump 13
Is stopped, and the following steps 407 to 40
The operation of No. 9 is repeated.

Further, as the supply of the processing solution stock solution 2 proceeds, the processing solution stock solution 2 in the package 3 becomes empty. In this case, even if the air pump 13 is operated, the solution of the processing solution stock solution 28 in the stock tank 4 is removed. The surface level no longer rises. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, when the float 26 of the float sensor 25 does not rise to the position of the sensing unit 27 even after 10 seconds have elapsed after the operation of the air pump 13 (step 410), the processing liquid undiluted solution 2 in the package 3 Is regarded as empty (step 411), the LED 12 is turned on to notify the sky (step 412), and the interlock is released (step 413).

Thus, the replacement of the package 3 (step 414) and the subsequent reset operation (step 41)
5) is performed, and the above operation is repeated.

As described above, in the solution supply apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the air pump 13 having a small driving stroke is arranged integrally above the stock tank 3.
The solution supply device 1 can be made small and compact.

Further, in the solution supply device 1 of the present embodiment,
In particular, since the function of the float sensor 25 has both the detection of the liquid level for controlling the operation of the air pump and the detection of the timing of replacing the package, the number of float sensors can be minimized. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a solution supply device 3 according to this embodiment.
1 is a diagram showing a configuration of FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the structure of the stock tank and the structure of the float sensor are different from those of the above-described embodiment. Note that the same elements as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the stock tank 34
Has, for example, a bottom area of 3 to 30 cm ² and a height of 6 to 20 c
m, and has a staircase shape in which two rectangular parallelepipeds are stacked. In the present embodiment, the stock tank 34 is used to reserve a processing solution stock solution in advance.
For example, the size is such that a maximum of 1 to 10 packages of the processing solution stock solution can be accommodated. For this reason, the processing solution stock solution in the package 3 becomes empty, and even if the package 3 is not replaced immediately, the processing solution stock solution previously stored in the stock tank 34 can be used. It is possible to always carry out development processing of a constant quality without interruption, and it is possible to save operator's monitoring labor. The shape and size of the stock tank 34 can be changed according to the structure such as the dead space of the entire apparatus. Further, in the present embodiment, the tank for storing the stock solution for processing liquid and the stock tank are used in combination. However, they may be separately provided, and the preliminary storage tank may be provided between the stock tank and the liquid feed pump 6. good.

In the present embodiment, the stock tank 3
In 4, four sensors 200 to 203 are arranged. The sensor 200 is a sensor that operates when the amount of the processing liquid in the stock tank 34 exceeds a certain amount.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a gas mixture detection sensor that operates when the amount of gas accumulated in the upper portion of the stock tank 34 exceeds a certain amount. The sensor 202 is a sensor that senses running out of liquid in the package 20. The sensor 203 is a sensor for detecting a liquid shortage in the stock tank 34. As the sensor, a sensor capable of sensing the liquid level can be used, and a float sensor is also used in the present embodiment. Each float sensor 200
Structures 203 to 203 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the solution supply device 31 thus configured will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the case where the package 3 is immediately replaced after the processing solution stock solution in the package 3 set on the tray 10 becomes empty will be described. An unused package 3 is set in the solution supply device 1 (step 601).

After the package 3 is set, when a reset operation such as pressing a reset button (not shown) is performed (step 602), the LED 12 is turned off (step 603), and the operation of the air pump 13 is started. (Step 604). By the suction force of the air pump 13, the processing solution stock solution in the package 3 is stored in the stock tank 34.
The float is sucked in and the float of the float sensor 202 rises (step 605).

Thereafter, when the float of the float sensor 200 rises to the position of the sensing portion, the operation of the air pump 13 is stopped (step 606), and the interlock is turned on (step 607).

After the reset is completed, the liquid feed pump 6 is operated in accordance with the replenishment request to the processing tank 5, and the undiluted processing liquid in the package 3 is sucked out and supplied to the processing tank 5 through the stock tank 34. Is done. Along with this, package 3
Processing solution stock solution inside is reduced, and package 3
Becomes a crushed shape.

If air is mixed in the package 3,
If a large amount of gas is mixed in the package 3 due to the generation of gas from the solution in the package 3 with the lapse of time during storage of the product, the gas is also sucked in with the supply of the solution, and (Step 60).
8). These mixed gases are quickly separated from the solution in the stock tank 34 and stored in the upper portion of the stock tank 34. As a result, the liquid level falls from the float sensor 201, and the float sensor 201 senses a decrease in the liquid level (step 609), whereby a signal is sent to the control unit to operate the air pump 13 (step 610). ).

When the air pump 13 is operated, the gas is discharged to the outside of the stock tank 34, and the liquid level of the processing liquid stock solution 28 in the stock tank 34 rises. When the liquid level is detected by the float sensor 200, the air is discharged. The operation of the pump 13 is stopped (step 611), and the operations of steps 608 to 611 are repeated thereafter.

Further, as the supply of the processing solution stock solution 2 proceeds, the processing solution stock solution 2 in the package 3 becomes empty. In this case, even if the air pump 13 is operated, the solution of the processing solution stock solution 27 in the stock tank 34 is discharged. The surface level is no longer detected by the float sensor 200. As a result, it is considered that the processing solution stock solution 2 in the package 3 is empty (step 61).
2).

Thereafter, when the liquid level falls below the liquid level detected by the float sensor 202 (step 61).
3) The LED 12 is turned on to notify the sky (step 614), and the interlock is released (step 615).

Thus, the replacement of the package 3 (step 616) and the subsequent reset operation (step 61)
If step 7) is performed and the package 3 is not replaced (step 618), a release valve (not shown) is activated (step 619), and the liquid level is further lower than the liquid level detected by the float sensor 203. (Step 620), all operations are stopped (step 62).
1), a warning of liquid shortage is issued (step 622). Thus, the replacement of the package 3 (step 623) and the subsequent reset operation (step 624) are performed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a solution supply device 4 according to this embodiment.
1 is a diagram showing a configuration of FIG.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the stock tank and the air pump. Note that the same elements as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 7, an air pump 4 is placed on a stock tank 41 having a substantially cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped shape.
2 are arranged integrally.

The air pump 42 is connected to the stock tank 41
And a second air chamber 43 disposed on the first air chamber 43 and configured to be able to expand and contract in the vertical direction in a bellows shape.
And an air chamber 44. An intake valve 46 for sucking air from the stock tank 41 into the air chambers 43 and 44 is provided in a wall portion 45 between the first air chamber 43 and the stock tank 41, and a side wall of the first air chamber 43. The 47 is provided with an exhaust valve 48 for exhausting air from inside the air chambers 43 and 44 to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 8, a motor 50 having a rotating shaft 49 is disposed above the second air chamber 44. The rotating shaft 49 of the motor 50 is used to perform eccentric driving. A disk-shaped member 51 is attached. Then, the predetermined position of the disc-shaped member 51 and the second air chamber 44
Are connected by a connecting member 52. The configuration of the eccentric drive is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Then, the driving force is converted by such eccentric driving so that the rotational driving of the motor 49 expands and contracts (elevates and lowers) the connecting member 52 with respect to the second air chamber 44.
As shown in (a), the volume of the air chambers 43, 44 is reduced by contracting the second air chamber 44, and
As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the air in the air chambers 43, 44 is expanded by expanding the second air chamber 44, and the air in the air chambers 43, 44 is expanded. It becomes possible. That is, the rotation of the motor 49 drives the stock tank 41 through the air chambers 43 and 44.
It is possible to forcibly exhaust the inside.

Also in the solution supply device of the present embodiment, since the air pump 42 having a small driving stroke is integrally disposed above the stock tank 41, the solution supply device 1 can be made small and compact. It becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 10, an air pump having a bellows-like air chamber is provided with an air pump 61 provided with an exhaust valve 62 and an intake valve 63 above and below the air chamber 61 so that the entire air chamber 61 can expand and contract. It is good also as a structure, and as shown in FIG. 11, the structure of the air pump 70 which arrange | positioned the motor 71 and the disk-shaped member 72 under the stock tank 41 is good.

As shown in FIG. 12, a solution supply device 80 may be configured by applying the air pump 42 according to the third embodiment to the stock tank 34 shown in the second embodiment.

The solution supply device and the air pump according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those which are liable to be oxidized, deteriorated, deteriorated, etc. by contacting with air, or those which are dangerous when touched by human body, for example, Applied to various fields, such as equipment for supplying solutions such as chemicals, paints, emulsions, coating agents, and functional film-forming agents, as well as equipment for supplying fixed quantities of foodstuffs such as beverages and noodle soup It is possible to

[0069]

As described above, according to the solution supply apparatus and the air pump according to the present invention, the air pump having a small driving stroke is provided to the stock tank to which the solution is supplied from the container in which the solution is sealed. Integrally arranged, so that the processing solution stock solution has excellent stability and the solution can be easily replaced by a solution supply method. Can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solution supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a solution supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a solution supply device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a partial perspective view of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the solution supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing still another modification of the solution supply device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a solution supply device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 Package 4 Stock tank 13 Air pump 14 Air chamber 15 Resilient wall 17 Intake valve 19 Exhaust valve 20 Motor rotation shaft 21 Motor 23 Disk-shaped member 24 Connecting member 25 Flow sensor 26 Float 27 Sensing unit

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A stock tank to which the solution is supplied from a container in which the solution is sealed, a solution sending pump for sending the solution in the stock tank to a solution supply destination, and a stock pump disposed above the stock tank; An air pump that has an air chamber with a variable volume and that sucks air from the stock tank into the air chamber via an intake valve and exhausts air from the air chamber to the outside via an exhaust valve. And a solution supply device. 2. The solution supply device according to claim 1, wherein the air pump comprises: an elastic wall provided in the air chamber, the elastic wall having an uneven shape; and a driving unit configured to make the elastic wall uneven. And a solution supply device. 3. The solution supply device according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit includes: a motor having a rotating shaft; a disk-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft for performing eccentric driving; and the disk-shaped member. And a connecting member for connecting the predetermined position to the elastic wall. 4. The solution supply device according to claim 1, wherein all or a part of the air chamber is configured to be bellow-shaped and extendable and contractable, and the air pump is configured to expand and contract the bellows-shaped air chamber. A solution supply device comprising a part. 5. The solution supply device according to claim 4, wherein the driving unit includes: a motor having a rotating shaft; a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft for performing eccentric driving; and the disc-shaped member. And a connecting member for connecting the predetermined position to the bellows-shaped air chamber. 6. One of claims 1 to 5
The solution supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a sensor for detecting a predetermined liquid level in the stock tank; and a controller for controlling an operation of the air pump based on a detection result by the sensor. And a solution supply device. 7. The solution supply device according to claim 6, wherein the controller operates the air pump based on a detection result of the sensor, and after the predetermined time elapses, the controller controls a predetermined liquid level by the sensor. When the level is not detected, a predetermined notification is issued. 8. A stock tank to which the solution is supplied from a container in which the solution is sealed, a solution sending pump for sending the solution in the stock tank to a solution supply destination, and an integral part of an upper part of the stock tank. An air chamber provided on one side with an elastic wall that can be uneven, an intake valve for sucking air from the stock tank into the air chamber, an exhaust valve for exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside, and a rotating shaft. A solution comprising: a motor having: a disk-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft for performing eccentric drive; and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disk-shaped member to the elastic wall. Feeding device. 9. The solution supply device according to claim 8, wherein a stepped portion is provided on an upper portion of the stock tank, the elastic wall is provided on a side surface of the stepped portion, and the motor and the disc-shaped member are provided. And the connecting member is disposed on the stepped portion. 10. A stock tank to which the solution is supplied from a container in which the solution is sealed, a solution sending pump that sends the solution in the stock tank to a solution supply destination, and an integral part of an upper part of the stock tank. An air chamber, which is provided, and which is configured so that all or a part thereof is bellows-shaped and can expand and contract, an intake valve for sucking air from the stock tank into the air chamber, and an exhaust valve for exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside. A motor having a rotating shaft; a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft for performing eccentric driving; and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member to the bellows-shaped air chamber. A solution supply device. 11. The solution supply device according to claim 10, wherein the motor and the disk-shaped member are arranged above or below the stock tank. 12. An air chamber having a resilient wall on one side, the air intake valve for taking air from outside into the air chamber, an exhaust valve for exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside, and a rotating shaft. An air comprising: a motor having: a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft for performing eccentric driving; and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member to the elastic wall. pump. 13. An air chamber entirely or partially configured to be bellows-like and extendable, an intake valve for sucking air from outside into the air chamber, and an exhaust valve for exhausting air from the air chamber to the outside. A motor having a rotating shaft; a disc-shaped member attached to the rotating shaft for performing eccentric driving; and a connecting member for connecting a predetermined position of the disc-shaped member to the bellows-shaped air chamber. An air pump characterized by: