JP2003280156A - Automatic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the accurate temperature control of processing solution. <P>SOLUTION: When the power source of a processor is turned on, a heater is turned on to start heating developer. When the temperature (t) of the developer reaches temperature t<SB>1</SB>, at such a time, the heater is turned off, and when the temperature of the developer falls to temperature (ts) after turning off the heater, the heater is turned on to restart heating the developer (steps 300 to 312). When the temperature of the developer rises to temperature t<SB>3</SB>though the heater is turned off, a cooling fan is actuated to cool the heater until the temperature of the developer falls to temperature t<SB>2</SB>(steps 314 to 320). Thus, the overshoot of the temperature of the developer is restrained and the accurate temperature control is performed in a narrow temperature control width. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic developing apparatus for carrying out image development processing by immersing an imagewise exposed light-sensitive material in a processing solution stored in a processing tank. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic developing device that processes a photosensitive material with a processing solution whose temperature is adjusted to a predetermined temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing plate for printing a large amount of printed matter is prepared by exposing a printing plate according to a printing image. Also,
Prior to imagewise exposure of the printing plate, the plate is inspected for errors such as characters. Further, when performing color printing, it is necessary to perform plate inspection including whether there is an error in color.

A proof (color proof) formed by exposing a photosensitive material for plate inspection according to an image for printing is used for such plate inspection.

In recent years, due to the widespread use of DTP, a printing plate may be exposed by using image data for printing to form a printing plate. When producing a color proof prior to producing such a printing plate, an image exposure device that exposes a photosensitive material for plate inspection according to image data is output device (setter).
As the output device, there is used a color proof making device in which an automatic developing device (hereinafter, referred to as “processor”) for developing a photosensitive material is connected to the output device.

The processor holds the photosensitive material fed from the output device by a pair of rollers and draws the photosensitive material into the processor while pulling out the photosensitive material from the output device. The processor is sequentially dipped in a developing solution, a bleach-fix solution and a rinse solution or washing water. Then, development processing is performed.

By the way, in the processor, the processing liquid is heated to a preset temperature so that the photosensitive material is optimally processed by heating it by a temperature adjusting means such as a heater while circulating and stirring the processing liquid. Adjust the temperature.

On the other hand, depending on the combination of the photosensitive material and the processing solution, the temperature range of the processing solution that brings the photosensitive material into the optimum processing state may be narrow (the temperature control range is narrow). For this reason, in some processors, the heating means is provided with a pipe through which cooling water passes, and the water passing through this pipe cools the treatment liquid together with the heating means.

[0008]

However, even if the heating means is cooled by using water, if the temperature of the cooling water rises, there is a problem that an efficient cooling effect cannot be obtained. . Therefore, the liquid temperature of the processing liquid may be out of the control temperature range.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and by efficiently cooling the processing liquid, the liquid temperature of the processing liquid is maintained within a narrow temperature control range, so that the photosensitive material is appropriately cooled. It is an object of the present invention to propose an automatic developing device that enables processing.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is to control the temperature of a treatment liquid stored in a treatment tank to a predetermined temperature preset by a temperature control means,
An automatic developing device for processing a photosensitive material by immersing it in a processing solution, comprising a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the processing solution, and a pipe line for circulating the processing solution in the processing tank. Heating means for heating the processing liquid passing through the pipe, cooling fan for cooling the heating means by sucking air outside the machine and blowing the air to the heating means, and liquid of the processing liquid detected by the temperature detecting means. Temperature control means for maintaining the temperature of the treatment liquid within a predetermined range by turning on / off the heating means and the cooling means based on the temperature.

According to the present invention, the temperature is adjusted by operating the heating means based on the liquid temperature of the processing liquid detected by the temperature detecting means. At this time, the temperature control unit blows the air outside the machine to the heating unit by operating the cooling fan to cool the heating unit, and the residual heat of the heating unit causes the temperature of the treatment liquid to rise. Suppress. Further, the temperature of the air inside the machine is raised by the heating means and the temperature-controlled treatment liquid, but by blowing air outside the machine whose temperature is lower than the air inside the machine to the heating means, the efficiency of the heating means is improved. Cooling is possible.

As a result, when the treatment liquid is heated by the on / off control of the heating means, the variation range of the treatment liquid temperature can be suppressed, so that highly accurate temperature control can be performed.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, when the temperature of the processing liquid detected by the temperature detecting means by the temperature control means when the heating means is off exceeds a predetermined temperature. When the cooling fan is turned on, the cooling fan is turned on.

According to the present invention, when the amount of overshoot of the liquid temperature of the processing liquid becomes large, the cooling fan is turned on to suppress the overshoot of the liquid temperature. This allows
The temperature control width of the liquid temperature can be narrowed, and highly precise temperature control can be performed with a narrow temperature control width.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a color proof creating apparatus 10 applied to this embodiment. In the color proof making apparatus 10, a processor 14, which is an automatic developing device, is connected to a setter 12, which is an output device that performs image exposure on a photosensitive material and outputs the image. Further, on the discharge side of the processor 14 (the side opposite to the setter 12),
A stocker 16 is provided.

The setter 12 has a machine frame 1 that shields the interior from light.
A magazine 20 is loaded in the magazine 8. In this magazine 20, a long photosensitive material 22 is rolled up and accommodated. Further, the setter 12 is provided with a recording unit 24 that forms an image on the photosensitive material 22. The recording unit 24 includes a rotary drum 26 and a recording head unit 28.

In the setter 12, when the photosensitive material 22 is pulled out from the magazine 20, it is cut into a predetermined length by a cutter (not shown) and sent to the recording section 24. As a result, the photosensitive material 22 is sent to the recording unit 24 in the form of a sheet.

In the recording section 24, the photosensitive material 22 is wound around a predetermined position on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 26 with the surface on the photosensitive layer side facing outward. In the recording unit 24, the photosensitive material 22 is suction-held on the rotary drum 26 by suction means (not shown) provided on the rotary drum 26.

In the recording section 24, when the photosensitive material 22 is wound around a predetermined position of the rotary drum 26 and suction-held, the rotary drum 26 is rotated at a high speed at a predetermined speed, and in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 26, image data is recorded. The photosensitive material 22 is scanned and exposed by irradiating the photosensitive material 22 with a light beam modulated according to
2 is subjected to image exposure according to image data. In the setter 12, a color image is formed on the photosensitive material 22 by scanning and exposing the photosensitive material 22 based on the image data separated into R, G, and B colors.

After the image exposure of the photosensitive material 22 is completed, the setter 12 removes the photosensitive material 20 from the rotary drum 26 and directs it to the processor 14 side of the machine frame 18 with the surface of the photosensitive layer facing downward. It is sent to the processor 14 from the formed discharge port 30.

In the setter 12, it is possible to perform image exposure on the photosensitive materials 22 having different width dimensions within a predetermined range, and the center position of the photosensitive material 22 in the width direction is the rotary drum 2.
The photosensitive material 2 is placed at a fixed position along the axial direction of 6
2 is positioned on the rotary drum 26 and image exposure is performed. As a result, the photosensitive material 22 is inserted into the processor 14 by so-called centering.

In the setter 12, as an example, it is possible to perform image exposure on the photosensitive material 22 having a width dimension of 506 mm to 820 mm, which allows the photosensitive material 22 to be A1 (660 mm × 940 mm) and A2 (506 mm). ×
660 mm), A3 (506 mm x 350 mm) and B
1 (820 mm x 1100 mm), B2 (820 mm x
The image is formed and output in each size (660 mm).

The processor 14 carries out a predetermined process while transporting with the surface of the photosensitive layer facing downward. That is, in the processor 14, the photosensitive material 22 fed from the setter 12 is conveyed and processed as it is with the surface of the photosensitive material side facing downward, and the surface of the photosensitive material 22 on the photosensitive material side is inverted. The space for providing the switchback portion and the like is omitted, and the time for performing the reversal process of the photosensitive material 22 is shortened, so that the color proof can be quickly produced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 14 includes:
A processing liquid processing unit 34 and a drying unit 36 are provided in the machine frame 32. Further, in the machine frame 32, an introduction part 38 is formed on the setter 12 side of the processing liquid processing part 34. In addition,
Between the processing liquid processing section 34, the drying section 36 and the introducing section 38,
It is partitioned by a partition wall (not shown).

The processor 14 has a slit-shaped insertion opening 40 formed in the machine frame 32 so as to face the discharge opening 30 (see FIG. 1) of the setter 12, and the processing liquid processing section 34 and the introduction section 3 are formed.
8 has a slit-shaped insertion port 42 formed therein. In addition, in the introduction section 38, between the insertion opening 40 and the insertion opening 42,
A pair of transport rollers 44 and 46 is provided.

The processor 14 operates a driving means (not shown) in response to a carry-out signal from the setter 12 to rotationally drive the pair of conveying rollers 44 and 46 at a predetermined speed.

As a result, when the photosensitive material 22 inserted from the insertion port 40 reaches the conveying roller pair 44, the photosensitive material 22 is nipped by the conveying roller pair 44, and is nipped and conveyed toward the insertion port 42 while being pulled out from the setter 12. Further, it is nipped and conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers 46, and sent to the treatment liquid processing section 34 from the insertion port 42. Further, a sensitive material detecting sensor (the sensitive material detecting sensor 23 shown in FIG.
4) is provided, and the photosensitive material detection sensor 234 can detect whether or not the photosensitive material 22 is sandwiched by the transport roller pair 44, and can determine the width size of the photosensitive material 22. A guide 48 is arranged in the insertion port 40 of the introduction section 38, and a guide 50 is arranged between the pair of transport rollers 44 and 46 to ensure that the photosensitive material 22 is transferred from the insertion port 40 to the processing liquid processing section 34. It can be guided and transported.

A processing tank 52 is provided in the processing liquid processing section 34. In the processing tank 52, a developing tank 54 that stores a developing solution in order along the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material 22,
A bleach-fixing tank 56 for storing a bleach-fixing solution and rinse tanks 58, 60, 62 for storing a rinse solution or washing water are formed.

The developing tank 54 is provided with a processing rack 64, and the bleach-fixing tank 56 is provided with a processing rack 66. A processing rack 68 is provided in each of the rinse tanks 58 to 62.

As a result, the photosensitive material 22 sent from the introducing section 38 to the processing liquid processing section 34 is guided in the developing tank 54, the bleach-fixing tank 56, and the rinse tanks 58 to 62 in a substantially U-shape. It is conveyed, immersed in a developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution and a rinse solution in that order, and then subjected to a developing treatment, a bleach-fixing treatment and a rinse treatment. Each of the processing racks 64 to 68 has a crossover portion formed by a crossover guide and a pair of conveying rollers, and the photosensitive material 22 is provided from the processing tank on the upstream side to the downstream side by the crossover portion. It is guided and conveyed to the processing tank while being smoothly curved.

After the rinsing process is completed, the rinsing tank 6 at the most downstream side
The photosensitive material 22 sent out from the processing material 2 is processed by the processing liquid processing section 34.
It is sent to the drying unit 36 from a slit-shaped insertion port 70 formed between the drying unit 36 and the drying unit 36.

In the drying section 36, the roller 7 is provided on the insertion port 70 side.
2 is provided, and a roller 76 is provided on the discharge port 74 side. Further, in the drying unit 36, a roller 78 is provided above the roller 72, and a roller 80 is provided above between the rollers 72 and 76.
An endless mesh belt 82 is wound between 4, 80 and 78.

When the mesh belt 82 is rotationally driven by the driving force of a driving means (not shown), the roller 7
Between 2 and 76, the photosensitive material 22 is moved from the insertion port 70 side, which is the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 22, to the discharge port 74 side at a speed substantially equal to or slightly higher than the conveying speed of the photosensitive material 22 in the processing liquid processing section 34. .

Further, the drying section 36 includes a roller 7 on the insertion side.
A roller 84 that faces the roller 2 and a roller 86 that faces the discharge-side roller 76 are provided. The photosensitive material 22 sent from the processing liquid processing section 34 to the drying section 36 is the roller 7
It is sandwiched by 2, 84 and drawn into the drying section 36, and is sent out between the rollers 76, 86 along the lower surface of the mesh belt 82. Further, when the rollers 76 and 86 sandwich the photosensitive material 22, the rollers 76 and 86 send the photosensitive material 22 out of the machine (outside the machine frame 32) through the discharge port 74.

A tension roller 88 is provided above the roller 76, and the mesh belt 82 is wound around the tension roller 88 between the rollers 78 and 80, so that the mesh belt 82 is predetermined. The tension is applied.

On the other hand, rollers 72 and 76 are provided in the drying section 36.
A chamber 90 is provided so as to face the mesh belt 82 between. Dry air generated by a dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to the chamber 90.

Further, in the chamber 90, a plurality of ejection ports 92 are formed on the surface facing the mesh belt 82. Each of the ejection ports 92 has a longitudinal direction that is a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the mesh belt 82.
It is formed in a slit shape along the width direction of 2, and the dry air supplied to the chamber 90 is ejected from the ejection port 92 toward the mesh belt 82.

A restraining roller 94 is provided between the rollers 72 and 76, and the restraining roller 94 and the tension roller 88 bend the mesh belt 82 due to the dry air jetted from the jet port 92. To prevent it from happening.

The photosensitive material 22 delivered from the rollers 72 and 74 is pressed against the mesh belt 82 by the dry air jetted from the jet port 92, and the mesh belt 82 is driven to rotate, so that the mesh belt 82 and The inside of the drying unit 36 is integrally moved toward the discharge port 74.

At this time, the photosensitive material 22 is heated and dried by the dry air, and the moisture evaporated by the heating and drying is removed from the vicinity of the surface of the photosensitive material 22 to accelerate the drying.

On the other hand, the processor 14 has a processing liquid circulation mechanism for circulating the processing liquid in each processing tank, and a processing liquid circulation mechanism for each processing tank at a preset timing according to the time or the processing amount of the photosensitive material 22. A replenishment mechanism for replenishing the replenisher is provided.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of the processing liquid circulating mechanism and the replenishing mechanism provided in the processor 14.

In the processing liquid processing unit 34 of the processor 14,
Circulation pumps 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 are provided.

A pipe 11 is provided on the discharge side of the circulation pump 100.
0A is connected to one end, and the other end of the pipe 110A is open to the bottom of the developing tank 54. In addition, the circulation pump 1
00 is connected to the suction side of the pipe 110B, and the other end of the pipe 110B is opened to the side wall of the developing tank 54. By operating the circulation pump 100, the developing inside the developing tank 54 is performed. The liquid is sucked from the side wall and discharged from the bottom. As a result, the developing solution in the developing tank 54 is circulated and agitated.

A pipe 11 is provided on the discharge side of the circulation pump 102.
One end of 2A is connected, the other end of this pipe 112A opens at the bottom of the bleach-fixing tank 56, and a pipe 112B is provided on the suction side.
Of the pipe 112B is open to the side wall of the bleach-fixing tank 56. In addition, the circulation pump 104
To the discharge side of each of the pipes 114A and 11A.
One end of 6A and 118A are connected to each other, and pipes 114 for each
The other ends of A, 116A, 118A are rinse tanks 58, 60,
Pipes 114B, 116B, 118B are provided on the suction sides of the circulation pumps 104 to 108, respectively.
One end of each of the pipes 114B, 116B,
The other end of 118B is opened to the side wall of each of the rinse tanks 58, 60, 62.

As a result, in the processing liquid processing section 34, when the circulation pumps 102 to 108 are operated, the bleach-fixing liquid in the bleach-fixing bath 56 and the rinse liquids in the rinsing baths 58 to 62 are circulated and stirred.

On the other hand, the filter 120 is installed in the pipe 110A.
In addition to the heater 12 as a heating means for forming the temperature control means
2, 124 and a temperature sensor 126 as a temperature detecting means.
Is provided, and in the processing liquid processing unit 34, the developing tank 54 is provided.
When circulating / stirring the developer in the filter 120,
Enables the suspended solids in the developer to be filtered, and the heaters 122 and 124 and the temperature sensor 126 to heat the photosensitive material 22 to a temperature preset so that the developer can properly process the photosensitive material 22. ing.

Further, in the pipe 112A for the bleach-fixing solution,
A heater 130 serving as a heating unit together with the filter 128,
132 and a temperature sensor 134 serving as a temperature detecting unit are provided, and in the processing liquid processing unit 34, a filter 128 allows a suspended matter in the bleach-fixing liquid to be filtered, and
By the heaters 130 and 132 and the temperature sensor 134,
The bleach-fix solution can be heated to a preset temperature at which the light-sensitive material 22 is properly processed.

Further, in the pipe 114A for the rinse liquid,
A filter 136, a heater 138 and a temperature sensor 140 are provided, and a pipe 142A is provided with a filter 142, a heater 144 and a temperature sensor 146, and a pipe 118A.
Includes a filter 148, a heater 150, and a temperature sensor 1.
52 is provided. Thereby, the rinse tanks 58 to 6
The rinse liquid in 2 has a temperature set in advance by the heater 138 and the temperature sensor 140, the heater 144 and the temperature sensor 146, and the heater 150 and the temperature sensor 152 while the suspended matters are filtered by the filters 136, 142, and 148. Circulated / stirred while temperature controlled.

In the processor 14, the heaters 122, 124, 130, 132, 138, 144 serving as heating means,
As the 150, a so-called casting heater in which an electric heater is embedded in a casting that encloses the pipe of the treatment liquid is used. When the treatment liquid passes through the pipe in the casting, heat from the heater is transferred. It is designed to be heated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing tank 54 is provided with a shallow widening portion 200 on one end side in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 22, and the widening portion 2 is provided.
A pipeline 110B for sucking the developing solution is opened on the side wall 202 of 00. Further, the developing tank 54 has a plurality of ejection openings 208 formed at the bottom. Each of the ejection ports 208 is formed along the conveyance width direction of the photosensitive material 22, and the pipe 110A is branched below the developing tank 54,
It is connected to each of the discharge ports 208.

As a result, in the developing tank 54, the temperature-adjusted developing solution is discharged into the developing tank 54 while being diffused along the conveying width direction of the photosensitive material 22, and is even with the developing solution in the developing tank 54. It is supposed to be mixed.

In the processor 14 applied to the present embodiment, as an example, the discharge port 208 is provided at the intermediate portion in the width direction of the developing tank 54, near the rack side plate 214 on the side of the widened portion 200, and on the side of the conveyance path of the photosensitive material 22. It is provided between the side wall 218 and the rack side plate 216 opposite to the widened portion 200. It should be noted that each of the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tanks 58 to 62 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports in substantially the same manner as the developing tank 54 so that the circulated processing liquid is discharged while being diffused and mixed. Is also good.

As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 14 includes:
A replenishment tank 154 for storing a development replenishment stock solution, replenishment tanks 156, 158 for storing a bleach-fixing replenishment stock solution, and a water supply tank 160 for storing water used as a development replenishment stock solution, a bleach-fixing replenishment stock solution dilution and a rinse solution are provided. .
Further, the processing liquid processing unit 34 includes replenishment pumps 162, 16
4, 166 and water supply pumps 168, 170, 172, 1
74, 176 and 178 are provided.

A pipe 18 is provided on the discharge side of the replenishment pump 162.
0A is connected to one end, and the other end of the pipe 180A is opened to the upper part of the developing tank 54 via the replenishment nozzle 182.
One end of the pipe 180B is connected to the suction side.
The other end of 80B opens into the replenishment tank 154.

As a result, in the processing liquid processing section 34, when the replenishment pump 162 is operated, the developing replenishment stock solution in the replenishment tank 154 is replenished to the developing tank 54 as a replenishment liquid.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a widened portion 200 of the developing tank 54 which is bent into a substantially U shape.
Is mounted so as to straddle the side wall 202 of the developing tank, and the tip is inserted into the developing solution, whereby the developing replenishing stock solution supplied to the developing tank 54 is sucked into the circulation pump 100 together with the developing solution in the developing tank 54. Then, it is discharged into the developing tank 54 while being mixed with this developing solution.

Further, in the widened portion 200, the liquid level sensor 20 for detecting the lower limit level of the liquid level of the developer in the developing tank 54.
4 is provided, and in the processor 14, the developing tank 54
The liquid level of the developing solution inside is kept higher than the lower limit level.

The tip of the replenishing nozzle 182 is lower than the lower limit level of the liquid surface of the developing solution, and as a result,
Even when the replenishment pump 162 is stopped, the replenishment nozzle 18
This prevents the development replenishment stock solution remaining in the replenishment nozzle 182 and the pipe 180B from deteriorating due to air entering the inside of the replenishment nozzle 182 and the pipe 180A.

As shown in FIG. 3, one end of a pipe 184A is connected to the discharge side of the replenishment pump 164, and this pipe 1
The other end of 84A is bleach-fixing tank 5 via replenishment nozzle 186.
6, an end of a pipe 184B is connected to the suction side, and the other end of the pipe 184B is connected to the replenishment tank 156.
It has an opening inside. Further, one end of a pipe 188A is connected to the discharge side of the replenishment pump 166.
The other end of the pipe 188B is opened to the upper part of the bleach-fixing tank 56 via the replenishment nozzle 190, one end of the pipe 188B is connected to the suction side, and the other end of the pipe 188B is opened in the replenishment tank 158.

As a result, when the replenishment pumps 164 and 166 are operated in the treatment liquid treatment section 34, the replenishment tank 15
Each of the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solutions in Nos. 6 and 158 is replenished to the bleach-fixing tank 56 as replenishing solutions from the replenishing nozzles 186 and 190.

The processor 14 applied to this embodiment forms the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution by mixing the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution separated into two solutions at a predetermined ratio. Not limited to this, one bleach-fix replenishing stock solution may be used. In addition, the replenishment nozzle 1
Each of 86 and 190 also has an opening in a widening portion (not shown) formed in the bleach-fixing tank 56, whereby
The bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution supplied to the bleach-fixing tank 56 is sucked by the circulation pump 102 together with the bleach-fixing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 56, and is discharged into the bleach-fixing tank 56 while being mixed.

A pipe 19 is provided on the discharge side of the water supply pump 168.
2A is connected to one end, the other end of the pipe 192A is opened to the upper part of the developing tank 54, and one end of the pipe 192B is connected to the discharge side of the water supply pump 170.
The other end of the is opened to the upper part of the bleach-fixing tank 56.

Further, one end of each of the pipes 192C, 192D and 192E is connected to the discharge side of each of the water supply pumps 172 to 176, and the other ends of the pipes 192C, 192D and 192E are located above the rinse tanks 58, 60 and 62, respectively. One end of the pipe 194 is connected to the discharge side of the water supply pump 178, and the other end of the pipe 194 is opened to the upper portion of the rinse tank 62 via the refill nozzle 196.

Further, in the water supply tank 160, the pipe 1
One end of the pipe 98 is opened, and the pipe 198 is branched at the intermediate portion and connected to the suction sides of the water supply pumps 168 to 178.

As a result, in the processing liquid processing section 34, the water supply pump 168 operates to supply the developing tank 54 with water for diluting the developing replenishing stock solution from the water supply tank 160, and the water supply pump 170 operates. Water for diluting the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution is supplied to the bleach-fixing tank 56.
Supplied from 0. Further, in the treatment liquid processing unit 34, the water supply tank 160 is operated by the operation of the water supply pump 178.
The water inside is replenished to the rinse tank 62 as a rinse liquid.

Further, the pipes 192A to 192E are connected to a spray pipe (not shown) provided for cleaning the conveying roller pair in the crossover section, and the developing tank 54 and the bleach-fixing tank 56 are supplemented with dilution water. At the time of cleaning, the peripheral surface of the pair of conveying rollers in the crossover portion is washed to wash away the developing solution and the bleach-fixing solution carried out by the photosensitive material 22 and attached to the developing tank 54 and the bleach-fixing tank 56. I am trying. Also, rinse tanks 58 to 62
Then, the water supply pumps 172 to 176 are operated at a predetermined timing to clean the pair of conveyance rollers provided in the crossover portion.

In the processing tank 52, overflow tubes 54A and 56A are provided in the developing tank 54 and the bleach-fixing tank 56.
Is provided, and the excess developing solution and bleach-fixing solution due to the replenishment of the replenishing solution is supplied to the overflow pipe 54A,
It is designed to be discharged from 56A. Further, in the processing tank 52, an overflow pipe 58 is provided in the rinse tank 58.
A is provided, and the processor 14 is configured to replenish the rinse baths 58 to 62 with the rinse liquid in a cascade manner. By supplementing the rinse bath 62 with water as the rinse liquid, the rinse bath 58 has an excess amount. The discharged water is discharged from the overflow pipe 58A.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the processing liquid processing section 34 of the processor 14, a temperature control chamber 228 defined by the machine frame 32, the inner wall 238, the bottom plate 240 and the top plate 242 is formed. The circulation pump 100 is attached to the inner wall 238 of the temperature control chamber 228. The filter 120 (case for housing the filter 120) is attached to the top plate 242, and in the temperature control chamber 228,
Heaters 122 and 124 are arranged.

4 and 5, the vicinity of the temperature control chamber 228 adjacent to the developing tank 54 is shown as an example. Below, the developing tank 54 will be mainly described as an example, and the bleach-fixing tank 5 will be described.
6 and the rinse tanks 58 to 62 will not be described.

The heater 122 is arranged in the pipe (pipe 110A) hanging from the filter 120 so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. Further, the heater 1 provided on the downstream side of the heater 122 (downstream side in the circulation direction of the developing solution).
24 is a bottom plate 240 so that the longitudinal direction is substantially horizontal.
And a T-shaped tube 220 is provided between the heaters 122 and 124.

As shown in FIG. 4, between the projecting port 208 formed in the developing tank 54 and the T-shaped tube 220, the T-shaped tube 220 side is inclined so as to be low, and the T-shaped tube 220 is formed. Is connected to a valve 222 (not shown in FIG. 5) mounted outside the temperature control chamber 228.

As a result, by opening the valve 222, the developer in the developing tank 54 can be discharged.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the temperature control chamber 228, the cooling fan 23 faces the heater 122.
0 is provided. This cooling fan 230 has a machine frame 3
The heater 122 is provided in
It is designed to gush toward. As a result, in the processor 14, the heater 122 that heats the developing solution can be forcibly cooled down by the air outside the machine.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an exhaust grill 232 is provided in the temperature control chamber 228. The exhaust grill 232 communicates the inside of the temperature control chamber 228 with the outside of the machine frame 32, the cooling fan 230 operates, and the outside air is exposed to the temperature control chamber 228.
By being supplied to the inside, the air in the temperature control chamber 228 is exhausted from the exhaust grill 232 to the outside of the machine frame 32.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The controller 250 is provided with a controller 252 including a microcomputer (not shown). This controller 2
A photosensitive material detection sensor 234 that detects the photosensitive material 22 inserted into the insertion opening 40 and a drive motor 236 that is a driving source for transporting the photosensitive material 22 are connected to 52.

An operation panel 254 is connected to the controller 252. The processor 14 has a machine frame 32.
An operation panel 254 is attached to a predetermined position on the upper surface side of the device, and various settings can be made from turning the power on / off by operating a key (not shown) provided on the operation panel 254. A display unit (not shown) provided at 254 enables confirmation of the operating state of the processor 14 and various setting states.

The controller 252 is connected to a setter control unit 256 provided in the setter 12, and when the processor 14 can process the photosensitive material 22, it outputs a ready signal to the setter control unit 256. As a result, the setter 12 starts the imagewise exposure of the photosensitive material 22 or the carrying process for discharging the photosensitive material 22 after the imagewise exposure.

The setter controller 256 controls the controller 25 when the photosensitive material 22 subjected to image exposure is sent out.
2, the controller 252 receives the carrier signal and drives the drive motor 236 to receive and carry the photosensitive material 22. ing.

Further, the controller 252 includes a drying unit 3
6, a drying fan, a heater, a temperature sensor, etc., which are not shown, are connected to each other, and when the power is turned on by operating the switches on the operation panel 254, the drying unit 36
Enables the photosensitive material 22 to be properly dried.

On the other hand, the controller 252 includes a circulation pump 100 provided for the developing tank 54,
Replenishment pump 162, water supply pump 168, heater 122,
124, the temperature sensor 126, and the liquid level sensor 204 are connected.

As a result, the controller 252 causes the replenishment pump 162 to set at a preset timing such as the elapsed time or the processing amount of the photosensitive material 22 reaching a predetermined amount.
And the water supply pump 168 are operated to replenish a predetermined amount of the developer replenishing stock solution and water for diluting the developer replenishing stock solution at a predetermined ratio as a replenisher solution, thereby treating the developer solution stored in the developing tank 54. Is kept constant.

A cooling fan 230 is connected to the controller 252, and the controller 252 controls the operation of the cooling fan 230 together with the heaters 122 and 124 based on the liquid temperature of the developing solution detected by the temperature sensor 126. .

The controller 252 uses the circulation pump 100.
Is operated to process the photosensitive material 22. At this time, the controller 252 performs on / off control of the heaters 122 and 124 so that the liquid temperature of the developer detected by the temperature sensor 126 becomes a preset predetermined temperature.

Further, the controller 252 uses the heater 12
When the liquid temperature of the developer rises even though the valves 2 and 124 are turned off, and the liquid temperature of the developer detected by the temperature sensor 126 reaches a predetermined temperature, the cooling fan 230 is operated and the processor 14 is activated. By blowing the outside air lower than the temperature of the inside air to the heater 122, the rise of the liquid temperature of the developing solution due to the residual heat of the heater 122 is suppressed, and by cooling the heater 122, the liquid of the developing solution is cooled. I try to promote the temperature drop.

As a result, the processor 14 is capable of highly accurate temperature control. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the controller 252 includes a circulation pump 10 provided for the bleach-fixing tank 56.
2, replenishment pumps 164, 166, water supply pump 170, heaters 130, 132, temperature sensor 134, liquid level sensor,
Circulation pumps 104 to 108, water supply pumps 172 to 178, heaters 138, 144, 150, and temperature sensors 140, 146, 152 provided for cooling fans (not shown) and rinse tanks 58 to 62 are connected to each other, It is controlled by the controller 252. Further, in the processor 14, liquid level sensors are provided in the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tanks 58 to 62, respectively, and the heaters 130, 138, 14 are provided.
Although a cooling fan facing each of 4 and 150 is provided and controlled by the controller 252, illustration and description thereof are omitted in the present embodiment.

The processor 14 configured as described above
In the color proof making apparatus 10 provided with, the setter 12 first exposes the photosensitive material 22 forming the color proof according to the image data. At this time, in the setter 12, the photosensitive material 22 having a width dimension according to the image data is pulled out from the magazine 20, cut into a length according to the image data, and sent to the recording unit 24. That is, the photosensitive material 22 having a size corresponding to the image data is sent to the recording unit 24.

In the recording section 24, after the photosensitive material 22 is wound around the rotary drum 26 and adsorbed and held, the rotary drum 2
While rotating 6 at a high speed, a light (laser light) beam modulated according to image data is irradiated in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 26, so that the photosensitive material 22 adsorbed and held on the rotary drum 26 is scanned and exposed. . As a result, an image corresponding to the image data is exposed on the photosensitive material 22. For exposure of the photosensitive material 22, any conventionally known structure can be applied.

In the setter 12, when the exposure of the photosensitive material 22 is completed, the photosensitive material 22 is conveyed toward the discharge port 30 while being removed from the rotary drum 26, and the discharge port 3 is discharged.
Send from 0. At this time, the setter 12 outputs a carry-out signal of the photosensitive material 22 from the setter controller 256 to the controller 252 of the processor 14.

The processor 14 is connected to the setter 12, and the photosensitive material 22 sent out from the discharge port 30 is sent to the insertion port 40 of the processor 14 facing the discharge port 30. In the processor 14, the drive motor 236 is operated based on the carry-out signal from the setter 12, and the conveying roller pair 44, 46 and the like are rotationally driven.

As a result, the insertion port 40 of the processor 14
When the photosensitive material 22 inserted from is fed into the space between the pair of transport rollers 44 arranged so as to face the insertion opening 40,
A pair of conveying rollers 44 sandwiches the photosensitive material 22 and pulls out the photosensitive material 22 from the setter 12, while the processor 1
Pull in 4.

The processor 14 is constituted by the conveying roller pair 44.
The photosensitive material 22 drawn in is first sent to the processing liquid processing section 34 and conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution, the bleach-fixing solution and the rinse solution in that order, and then subjected to the developing processing, the bleach-fixing processing and Rinse processing is performed.

The photosensitive material 22 for which the rinsing processing has been completed is sent from the rinsing tank 62 to the drying section 36, and is conveyed inside the drying section 36 along the lower surface of the mesh belt 82. At this time, in the drying unit 36, the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to the chamber 90 and is ejected from the ejection port 92 toward the photosensitive material 22.

As a result, the photosensitive material 22 is conveyed in the drying section 36 while being attached to the lower surface of the mesh belt 82, heated and dried by the dry air, discharged from the discharge port 74, and stored in the stocker 16. Accumulated.

On the other hand, in the processor 14, the replenishment pumps 162 to 166,
By operating each of the water supply pumps 168 to 178, the developing tank 54, the bleach-fixing tank 56, and the rinse tank 58.
The replenishing solution is replenished to each of 62 to 62 to maintain the processing performance of the photosensitive material 22 by each processing solution.

At this time, the processor 14 circulates and agitates each of the processing liquids so that the temperature and the processing performance of the processing liquid in the processing tank become uniform.

By the way, in the processor 14, by turning on a power switch (not shown) provided on the operation panel 254, each processing liquid including the developing liquid in the developing tank 54 and the temperature inside the drying unit 36 are set to preset temperatures. When the start-up process for heating the liquid is performed, and when the start-up process is completed, the ready signal is output to the setter control unit 256 of the setter 12 while performing temperature control control for maintaining the temperature of each processing liquid and the drying unit 36. Setter control unit 2 of setter 12
At 56, when the ready signal is input, the discharge of the photosensitive material 22 to the processor 14 is started.

Here, the temperature control of the processing liquid will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 by taking the developing liquid in the developing tank 54 as an example.

The controller 252 controls the temperature ts of the developing solution when controlling the temperature t of the developing solution within the range of the target temperature ts ± Δt.
And performing on-off control of the heater 122, 124 in the range of temperature t _1. The temperature t ₁ is ts <t ₁ <(ts + Δ
t).

That is, when the liquid temperature t reaches the temperature t ₁ ,
The heaters 122 and 124 are turned off, and the heaters 122 and 124
When the liquid temperature t drops to the temperature ts after turning off the heaters, the heaters 122 and 124 are turned on.

Further, the controller 252 performs on / off control of the cooling fan 230 within the range of the liquid temperature t between the temperatures t ₂ and t ₃ . At this time, the temperatures t ₂ and t ₃ are t ₁ <t ₂ <t ₃ .

That is, in the controller 252, even though the heaters 122 and 124 are turned off, when the liquid temperature t rises to the temperature t ₃ , the cooling fan 230 is operated to cool the heater 122 and the liquid temperature is increased. When t falls to the temperature t ₂ , the cooling fan 230 is turned off and the heater 12
The cooling of the heater 122 is completed before the switches 2 and 124 are turned on.

Further, in the controller 252, the temperature t ₃
Is the upper limit of the control range of the temperature of the developing solution. That is, it is set such that t ₃ ≦ (ts + Δt).

For example, in the processor 14, the temperature control range of the liquid temperature of the developing solution is set to 38.5 ° C. ± 0.3 ° C., from which the temperatures ts and t _{1 to} t ₃ are changed to ts = 38.5 °. C t ₁ = 38.6 ° C (t ₁ = ts + 0.1) t ₂ = 38.7 ° C (t ₁ = ts + 0.2) t ₃ = 38.8 ° C (t ₁ = ts + 0.1 = ts + Δt ).

FIG. 7 shows an outline of temperature control.
This flowchart is executed when the power of the processor 14 is turned on, and ends when the power is turned off.

When the power supply of the processor 14 is turned on and the controller 252 starts its operation, first, the step 3
At 00, the circulation pump 100 is operated to start circulation of the developing solution. Also, after a certain time set in advance,
While the developing solution remaining in the pipe 110A provided with the temperature sensor 126 is returned to the developing tank 54,
When the developer in the developing tank 54 has been sent to the vicinity of the temperature sensor 126, an affirmative decision is made in step 302 and the operation proceeds to step 304.

In step 304, first, sampling of the liquid temperature of the developing solution using the temperature sensor 126 is started. That is, the liquid temperature of the developing solution may differ not only between the developing tank 54 and the circulation pipes 110A and 110B but also inside the developing tank 54. Therefore, the developer is circulated so that the temperature sensor 126 can detect an appropriate liquid temperature. It should be noted that the detection of the liquid temperature of the developing solution by the temperature sensor 126 is preferable because the average value of the liquid temperature detected at a predetermined sampling interval can be applied.

At this time, the controller 252 digitally converts the electric signal input from the temperature sensor 126 and reads it as the liquid temperature of the developing solution.

When the liquid temperature of the developing solution is detected in this manner, the heater 1 based on the converted temperature (liquid temperature) of the developing solution.
The on / off control of 22 and 124 (heater control) is started. The on / off control of the heaters 122 and 124 is performed by the temperature T of the developing solution detected by the temperature sensor 126.
Any conventionally known control method based on the liquid temperature detected by the temperature sensor 126 can be applied, such as setting a duty ratio (on-duty) based on d and the target temperature Ts. Further, in the present embodiment, as an example, the heaters 122 and 124 are collectively turned on and off, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the heaters 122 and 124 are turned on based on the liquid temperature of the developing solution and the target temperature. You may make it control individually. The controller 252 also controls the temperature of the bleach-fixing solution and the rinsing solution and controls the temperature of the drying section 36 in parallel with the temperature control of the developing solution, and controls the developing solution, the bleach-fixing solution, the rinsing solution and the drying section 36. The ready signal is output to the setter control unit 258 of the setter 256 in a state where the temperature is stable.

The heaters 122 and 124 and the cooling fan 23
The on / off control of 0 is started when the liquid temperature t of the developer rises and exceeds the temperature t _1. First, at step 306,
It is confirmed whether or not the liquid temperature t exceeds the temperature t ₁ , and in step 308, it is confirmed whether or not the liquid temperature t is lower than the temperature ts.

If the liquid temperature t rises by turning on the heaters 122 and 124 and exceeds the temperature t ₁ , an affirmative decision is made in step 306, and the routine proceeds to step 310, where the heaters 122 and 124 are turned off. To do. As a result, the liquid temperature t of the developer is heated by the residual heat of the heaters 122 and 124 immediately after the heaters 122 and 124 are turned off, but gradually decreases.

As a result, when the liquid temperature t drops to the temperature ts, an affirmative decision is made in step 308, and step 312
, The heaters 122 and 124 are turned on, and the heater 1
The heating of the developing solution using 22 and 124 is restarted.

That is, the heaters 122 and 124 are turned on / off.
The OFF control is performed at the temperature ts at which the liquid temperature t of the developer is the target temperature.
When it goes down, it turns on, and when it exceeds temperature t ₁ , it turns off.

As described above, in the processor 14, when the liquid temperature t of the developing solution is close to the temperature ts, the heaters 122, 1 are used.
The liquid temperature of the developing solution is maintained at the temperature ts by performing ON / OFF control of 24. The heater 12 at this time
For the on / off control of Nos. 2 and 124, any conventionally known control method can be applied.

On the other hand, compared with the liquid temperature t of the developing solution, the heater 1
Since the temperature of 22, 22 is high, the heater 12
Even if 2,124 are turned off, the developer is heated by the residual heat, and the temperature rises.

That is, as shown in FIG.
When the on / off control of 2 and 124 is performed, an overshoot of the liquid temperature of the developer may occur, and the liquid temperature t of the developer may increase.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, in step 314, it is confirmed whether or not the liquid temperature t of the developer exceeds the temperature t ₃ , and in step 316, the liquid temperature t reaches the temperature t _2. Check if it has dropped.

As a result, the temperature of the developer is not raised to the temperature t ₃ but is lowered to the temperature ts, so that the heating of the developer is restarted.

On the other hand, although the heaters 122 and 124 are turned off, the liquid temperature t of the developing solution is not changed to the temperature t _3.
When the temperature rises to step 314, an affirmative judgment is made in step 314, the process proceeds to step 318, and the cooling fan 230 is turned on. As a result, when the cooling fan 230 operates, the air outside the machine casing 32, which is lower than the temperature of the air inside the processor 14, is blown onto the heater 122 by the cooling fan 230 and is also introduced into the temperature control chamber 228, so that the temperature of the heater 122 is reduced. Cooling is promoted, and the developer passing through the heater 122 is cooled.

That is, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.
If the temperature of the heaters 122 and 124 itself is high,
Even if the heaters 122 and 124 are turned off, the liquid temperature t of the developer rises. At this time, by cooling at least the heater 122 with the cooling fan 230, the rise in the liquid temperature t can be suppressed as shown by the solid line in FIG. Also,
In the processor 14, the cooling of the heater 122 is performed by blowing the air outside the machine casing 32, which is lower than the temperature of the internal air, so that the cooling effect of the heater 122 can be improved.

In the processor 14, the temperature control room 228
And the heaters 122 and 124 are installed in the temperature control chamber 2
Since the air outside the machine is introduced into the temperature control chamber 228, it is possible to indirectly cool the heater 124.

As a result, the liquid temperature t of the developing solution can be lowered in a short time while suppressing an increase in the liquid temperature t of the developing solution.

In the flow chart of FIG. 7, when the liquid temperature t of the developing solution decreases and reaches the temperature t ₂ , an affirmative decision is made in step 316, and the routine proceeds to step 320, where the cooling fan 2
Turn off 30. At this time, since the heater 122 is cooled, as shown in FIG. 8, the developer temperature is gradually lowered without being heated.

That is, the controller 252 turns on the cooling fan 230 when the liquid temperature t of the developing solution exceeds the temperature t ₃ , and turns off the cooling fan 230 when the liquid temperature t drops to the temperature t ₂ .

As described above, in the processor 14, if the overshoot amount of the liquid temperature t becomes large when the temperature of the developer is adjusted, the cooling fan 230 is used to blow at least the air outside the machine to cool the heater 122. By doing so, overshoot of the liquid temperature t of the developer is suppressed. Thereby, the liquid temperature t of the developing solution can be controlled with high accuracy. That is, even if the control range of the liquid temperature of the developing solution is narrow, it is possible to control the temperature with high accuracy according to the control range.

The above-described embodiment does not limit the structure of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, only the heater 122 is cooled by the cooling fan 230, but the cooling fan 230 may be used to blow air outside the machine to the heater 124 to achieve cooling.

The processor 14 applied to this embodiment does not limit the configuration of the automatic developing device to which the present invention is applied. For example, in the present embodiment, the color proof making apparatus 10 in which the setter 12 is connected to the upstream side of the processor 14 and the photosensitive material 22 for making plate inspection sent from the setter 12 is processed by the processor 14 has been described as an example. However, the automatic developing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and is an automatic developing apparatus for processing various conventionally known photosensitive materials (silver salt having PS, film, metal plate or the like as a support, PS plate, dry type). Can be applied to.

[0128]

As described above, according to the present invention, by providing the cooling fan for blowing the outside air to the heating means, the heating means can be efficiently cooled. Further, by efficiently cooling the heating means, it is possible to suppress the amount of overshoot of the liquid temperature of the processing liquid, so that it is possible to narrow the temperature control range and perform highly accurate temperature control of the processing liquid. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the photosensitive material can be processed so as to be finished with high quality by the processing liquid whose temperature is controlled with high accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color proof creating apparatus applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processor applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a piping system of a processor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing tank viewed from the side in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, showing an outline of a circulation system of a developing solution.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a schematic configuration inside a temperature control chamber near a developing tank.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control unit of a processor.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of temperature control of a processing liquid.

8 is a change in the liquid temperature of the developer based on the flowchart of FIG.
6 is a timing chart showing an example of heater on / off and cooling fan on / off.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Color Proofing Device 12 Setter (Output Device) 14 Processor (Automatic Developing Device) 22 Photosensitive Material 34 Processing Liquid Processing Section 54 Developing Tank (Processing Tank) 56 Bleach-fixing Tank (Processing Tank) 58-62 Rinse Tank (Processing Tank) 100-108 circulation pumps 122, 124, 130, 132, 138, 142, 1
50 Heater (heating means) 126, 134, 140, 146, 152 Temperature sensor (temperature detection means) 228 Temperature control chamber 230 Cooling fan 250 Control unit 252 Controller (temperature control control means)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takahiro Masuda             1250 Takematsu, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Equipment             Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H098 BA33 DA02 DA22 DA28 EA02

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An automatic developing apparatus for dipping a photosensitive material in a processing solution while controlling the temperature of the processing solution stored in a processing tank to a predetermined temperature preset by a temperature control means. A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the treatment liquid, a heating means provided in a pipe for circulating the treatment liquid in the treatment tank to heat the treatment liquid passing through the inner pipe, A cooling fan that cools the heating means by sucking air and blowing the air to the heating means, and turns on / off the heating means and the cooling means based on the liquid temperature of the treatment liquid detected by the temperature detection means. An automatic developing device comprising: a temperature control unit that maintains the temperature of the processing liquid within a predetermined range. 2. The cooling fan is turned on when the temperature adjustment control means exceeds a predetermined temperature when the temperature of the processing liquid detected by the temperature detection means while the heating means is off. The automatic developing device according to claim 1, wherein the automatic developing device is turned on.