JP2006091535A - Liquid supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely suck liquid out of a container such as a large-capacity container and to supply it to a processor. <P>SOLUTION: Bellows pumps 56 and 57 for a developer and gum liquid are provided below a device main body 12 and suction nozzles 64 and 65 are fitted thereto through hoses 58 and 59. Outer peripheral surfaces of the suction nozzles 58 and 59 are sheathed with protection pipes 66 and 67. Liquid drainage holes 66a and 66b, and 67a and 67b are formed at two upper and lower positions of the protection pipes 66 and 67. Liquid level detection sensors 72 and 74 are provided in parallel to the protection pipes 66 and 67. The liquid level detection sensor 72 comprises a couple of thin and long rod type electrodes 72a and 72b, and a support member 76 made of vinyl chloride is provided between the electrodes 72a and 72b and protection pipe 66. The electrodes 72a and 72b are sheathed with a tube 78 made of vinyl chloride and parted into upper and lower parts nearby above the electrodes 72a and 72b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus for supplying a liquid such as a replenisher to various processing apparatuses for developing a photosensitive material such as a photosensitive lithographic printing plate and a photographic film.

  For example, a replenisher for various processing devices such as a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing device (PS plate processing device) for developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (PS plate) and a film developing processing device for developing a photographic film. There are known liquid supply devices for supplying the liquid (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). These liquid supply apparatuses supply various liquids to a plurality of various processing apparatuses.

In such a liquid supply device, for example, when a cubitner, which is a small-capacity container of about 5 liters, is loaded in a loading unit provided above the storage tank, the cubitner is opened and a liquid such as a replenisher flows down to the storage tank. The And a liquid supply apparatus sends a liquid from a storage tank to a processing apparatus according to the request | requirement from a processing apparatus. The storage tank is provided with a liquid level detection sensor, and when the liquid in the storage tank becomes low, a warning is given to load a new cubicen.
JP-A-4-127160 JP-A-6-110178 JP-A-7-146539

  By the way, in the case of a liquid supply device using a small-capacity container such as a cubitener, if the amount of processing liquid used increases with the increase in the processing amount in the processing device, the replenishment from the storage tank increases. There is a problem that it becomes frequent and the burden on the operator increases. For this, it is possible to supply liquid directly to a plurality of processing devices using a large capacity container such as a drum can, but a large capacity container requires a long suction nozzle, and the suction nozzle breaks in the middle. There was a problem that the processing liquid could not be sucked out normally.

  An object of this invention is to provide the liquid supply apparatus which can suck | inhale liquid reliably from containers, such as a large capacity container, and can supply it to a processing apparatus.

  The liquid supply apparatus of the present invention is a liquid supply apparatus that supplies liquid from a container containing liquid to a processing apparatus, and is connected to the liquid feed pump for liquid via a conduit, and sucks out the liquid from the container. A suction nozzle whose outer peripheral surface is covered by a protective pipe, and a liquid level detection sensor provided along the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle and having a rod-like electrode for measuring the liquid level of the liquid in the container. It is characterized by that. The rod-like electrode is supported by a support member provided on the protection pipe, and detects the liquid level of the liquid in the container. In addition, an insulating coating is provided between the rod-shaped electrode and the support member so as to cover the rod-shaped electrode and to have an insulating film divided in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped electrode, covering the uppermost portion in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped electrode The lower end of is located above the liquid level of the liquid in the container.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, since the liquid is sucked out from the container by the suction nozzle that covers the outer peripheral surface by the protective pipe, the breakage of the suction nozzle can be prevented, and the liquid can be reliably sucked out and supplied to the processing apparatus. In addition, since the liquid level detection sensor having the rod-shaped electrode is provided along the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle, the position of the liquid level in the container can be confirmed accurately, and the processing apparatus can be replenished by reliably sucking out the liquid from the container. In addition, since the outer peripheral surface of the suction nozzle is covered with the protective pipe, the suction nozzle can be protected from impact, and the mounting strength of the liquid level detection sensor is advantageous. Further, the deformation of the suction nozzle can be prevented, and as a result, the reliability of the liquid level detection sensor can be maintained. Further, since the liquid level detection sensor is supported on the protective pipe by the support member, the rod-shaped liquid level detection sensor can be reliably supported.

  In FIG. 1 showing the external appearance of a replenisher supply apparatus that is a liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus main body 12 of the replenisher supply apparatus 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Stacking plates 16 and 18 for developing solution and gum solution for mounting (see FIG. 2) are provided. The loading plates 16 and 18 are formed with circular openings 16a and 18a through which the liquid outlet 42 (see FIG. 2) of the cubicen 14 is inserted. In addition, a display panel 20 that performs display such as prompting the supply of the replenishing liquid is provided in the upper part of the front part, and a lever 22 that is operated to open the liquid outlet 42 of the cubitner 14 is provided on the left and right sides thereof. , 24 protrudes.

  Inside the apparatus main body 12, developer and gum solution storage tanks 26 and 28 are provided below the stacking plates 16 and 18, and a dilution water storage tank 30 is provided adjacent to the storage tank 26. Is provided. Further, connecting pipes 32 and 34 for the developer and gum solution are provided in front of the storage tank 30. Below the display panel 20, the liquid level of the storage tanks 26, 28, and 30 is detected and displayed on the display panel 20, and the same 200 liters as a general drum can according to the exchange frequency of the cubicen 14. A large-sized tank 80 (see FIG. 4) having a large capacity and a control box 33 as a control unit for switching between the cubicen 14 are provided.

  Although not shown, a drainage hose for discharging waste liquid is connected to each bottom of the storage tanks 26, 28, and 30, and a drainage cock is provided in the middle. Further, a template 35 having a rectangular opening 35a that exposes the central portion of the loading plate 16 is provided on the upper portion of the storage tank 26, and similarly, a template 36 having an opening 36a is provided on the upper portion of the storage tank 28. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cubicer 14 is configured by loading a flexible plastic replenisher storage bag 40 inside a carton box 38 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An arcuate liquid outlet 42 of the replenisher storage bag 40 protrudes from an opening (not shown) of the carton box 38, and the central outlet is made of a breakable material such as aluminum foil or rubber film. It is sealed.

  The loading plate 16 passes through the bottom of the container receiving member 44 and is fixed to an upper portion of a support bar 46 that is movable up and down. A coil spring 48 is wound around the outer periphery of the support bar 46. In the state where the cubicen 14 is not placed on the stacking plate 16, the stacking plate 16 is pushed upward by the repulsive force of the coil spring 48 as shown in FIG. As shown in (B), the repulsive force of the coil spring 48 is set by the weight of the cubicen 14 in which the replenisher is accommodated by placing the cubicen 14 on the loading plate 16 and then pulling the lever 22 in the direction of the arrow. Against this, the cubiter 14 descends. At that time, the seal of the liquid outlet 42 is pierced by the hollow cylindrical knife edge 50, and the replenisher in the replenisher storage bag 40 of the cubicen 14 flows down to the storage tank 26. With respect to the gum solution, the gum solution is transferred from the gum solution cubicle 14 into the storage tank 28 by the same operation.

  In addition, a liquid level detection sensor 52 including a plurality of electrodes is provided in the storage tank 26, and detection signals from the respective electrodes are sent to the control box 33. The liquid level detection sensor 52 includes a common electrode 52C, an overflow level detection electrode 52F, an empty level detection electrode 52E, a replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A, and a reset electrode 52R.

  When the liquid level exceeds the overflow level, the output signal from the overflow level detection electrode 52F turns from OFF to ON, and the control box 33 displays on the display panel 20 that the liquid level has exceeded the overflow level. At the same time, surplus replenisher 88 is discharged from the overflow pipe 89 to the outside of the apparatus.

  When the output signal from the replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A is turned off from on, the message “Replace cubicle” is displayed on the display panel 20. When the operator places a new cubicor 14 on the stacking plate 16 and performs replenishment, the liquid level rises again, and when the lower end of the reset electrode 52R is exceeded, supply of replenisher to the processing apparatus is started. If the processing of the PS plate is continued without adding the cubicor 14, the liquid level further decreases, and when the output signal from the empty level detection electrode 52E is turned from on to off, “Empty” is displayed on the display panel 20. Is made.

  A liquid level detection sensor similar to the liquid level detection sensor 52 is also provided in the storage tank 28 for gum liquid, and each liquid level is detected. In addition, a liquid level detection sensor that opens and closes a solenoid valve provided in the middle of the water source pipe by detecting the liquid level is provided in the storage tank 30 for dilution water.

  Below the apparatus main body 12, bellows pumps 56 and 57 for developer and gum used for supplying the replenisher from the large tank 80 are provided. Elongated suction nozzles 64 and 65 having a length corresponding to the depth of the large tank 80 are attached to the supply side hoses 58 and 59 of the bellows pumps 56 and 57 via joint portions 62 and 63, respectively.

  The outer peripheral surfaces of the suction nozzles 64 and 65 are covered by protective pipes 66 and 67 made of vinyl chloride concentrically with the suction nozzles 64 and 65 (see FIG. 3). The suction nozzles 64 and 65 are protected. Although not shown, a plurality of ribs defining gaps with the outer peripheral surface of the suction nozzle 64 are provided inside the lower ends of the protective pipes 66 and 67.

  The protective pipes 66 and 67 are formed with holes 66a, 66b, 67a and 67b for draining liquid at two places on the upper and lower sides. After the suction nozzles 64 and 65 are pulled out from the large tank 80, the suction nozzle 64 and the protective pipe are removed. The processing liquid is prevented from accumulating in each of the gaps 66 and the gaps between the suction nozzle 65 and the protective pipe 67.

  The joint portions 62 and 63 are provided with liquid level detection sensors 72 and 74 in parallel along the protective pipes 66 and 67. The liquid level detection sensor 72 is composed of a pair of elongated rod-shaped electrodes 72a and 72b, and the portions of the electrodes 72a and 72b immersed in the processing liquid are conducted to measure the liquid level. Similarly, the liquid level detection sensor 74 includes a pair of elongated rod-shaped electrodes 74a and 74b.

  Since the liquid level detection sensors 72 and 74 have the same structure, one liquid level detection sensor 72 will be described below. The electrodes 72a and 72b have a length as long as about 1.4 m and a diameter as thin as about 5.5 mm. Therefore, in order to keep the distance between each other constant, the vinyl chloride is interposed between the electrodes 72a and 72b. A support member 76 made of metal is provided. Further, the support member 76 is provided at two locations, that is, a middle portion and a lower portion of the protective pipe 66 in the longitudinal direction.

  The support member 76 is formed with holes having diameters corresponding to the thicknesses of the protective pipe 66 and the electrodes 72a and 72b, and the protective pipe 66 and the electrodes 72a and 72b are inserted into these holes to protect the support member 76. It is attached to the pipe 66 and the electrodes 72a and 72b. The support member may be provided with cuts instead of holes, and the protective pipe 66 and the electrodes 72a and 72b may be inserted into these cuts.

  In addition, the electrodes 72a and 72b are conducted through the replenishment liquid adhering to the support member 76, and the measurement is performed as if the liquid has reached the position of the support member 76 even though there is actually no liquid up to that level. Therefore, the electrodes 72a and 72b are covered with a heat-shrinkable vinyl chloride tube 78 having insulating properties. Further, when the processing liquid rises through the gap between the tube 78 and the electrodes 72a and 72b due to the capillary phenomenon and reaches the joint portion 62, the electrical system in the interior breaks down, so that the tube 78 is divided on the way and 78a and a lower part 78b (see FIG. 3).

  The tube 78 is not limited to two but may be divided into a plurality of tubes, but the lower end of the uppermost tube 78 connected to the joint portion 62 of the divided tubes 78 is higher than the highest replenishment liquid level. Is also located above.

  The suction nozzle 64 in which the protective pipe 66 and the liquid level detection sensor 72 are integrated is inserted into a large tank 80 and used as shown in FIG. The joint portion 62 is fitted into the mouth of the large tank 80 so that deterioration of the replenisher in the large tank 80 is suppressed. The discharge port of the bellows pump 56 is connected to a spout 32 a provided at the upper part of the cylindrical connection pipe 32 via a hose 82, and the discharge port 32 b provided at the bottom of the connection pipe 32 is connected to a hose 86. Through the inlet 26a provided at the bottom of the storage tank 26 for developer.

  In addition to the injection port 26a, a discharge port 26b and a plurality of valves 26c are provided at the bottom of the storage tank 26, and for development to a plurality of PS plate processing apparatuses 90 via hoses 87 connected to the valves 26c. The replenisher 88 is fed. This liquid feeding is performed by driving a pump (not shown) controlled by the request of the PS plate processing apparatus 90. The upper part of the connection pipe 32 is covered with a stopper 85 having the spout 32a at the center so that the rebound of the replenisher 88 does not overflow from the upper part. Further, if the plug 85 is removed, the connection pipe 32 can be easily maintained.

  Connected to the control box 33 are a display panel 20, a bellows pump 56, liquid level detection sensors 52 and 72, and a timer 92. The timer 92 measures the time from when the output signal from the replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A is turned off to when it is turned off, that is, the time from the replacement of the cube tener 14 to the next replacement. When the time is shorter than the time, the control box 33 displays a warning “use a large tank” on the display panel 20. The operator inserts the suction nozzle 64 into the large tank 80 and then drives the bellows pump 56. As a result, the container for transferring the replenisher to the storage tank 26 is switched from the cubicle 14 to the large tank 80. Although not shown, the control box 33 similarly controls the storage tank 28.

  Next, the operation of the processing liquid replenishing device of the present invention will be described. In normal use of the replenisher supply apparatus 10, the developer and gum liquid cubiceners 14 are mounted on the stacking plates 16 and 18, respectively, and the replenisher liquid is transferred from the cubicener 14 to the storage tanks 26 and 28. Only the replenisher for the developer will be described below.

  The control box 33 constantly monitors the signal from the liquid level detection sensor 52, and when the replenisher in the storage tank 26 decreases and the output signal from the replenisher additional level detection electrode 52A is turned off, the display panel 20 For example, a warning message “Please replace cubicle” is displayed. As a result, the operator replaces the cubicer 14.

  When the liquid level in the storage tank 26 rises, the output signal from the replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A turns from off to on. From this moment, the timer 92 starts measurement, and then outputs to the control box 33 the time until the output signal from the replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A is turned off. When the replacement interval time is shorter than 24 hours, the control box 33 displays a warning “use a large tank” on the display panel 20.

  The operator who sees the warning display on the display panel 20 inserts the suction nozzle 64 into the large tank 80 and then drives the bellows pump 56. As a result, the replenisher is transferred from the large tank 80 to the storage tank 26.

  Even when the suction pipe 64 is shocked when the suction nozzle 64 is accidentally hit against the large tank 80 when the suction nozzle 64 is inserted into the large tank 80, the suction pipe 64 is protected by the protection pipe 66 and is broken or deformed. Therefore, the replenisher can be reliably sucked from the large tank 80, and the liquid level detection sensor 72 is not likely to be adversely affected.

  Thereafter, the control box 33 monitors the outputs from the liquid level detection sensors 52 and 72, and starts driving the bellows pump 56 when the output signal from the replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A is turned off. When the output signal from the level detection electrode 52A is turned on and the output signal from the overflow level detection electrode 52F is turned on, the driving of the bellows pump 56 is stopped.

  The timer 92 measures the time from when the output signal from the replenisher addition level detection electrode 52A is turned on to when it is turned off. The control box 33 stops driving the bellows pump 56 and displays when the time is longer than 24 hours and the replenishment liquid 88 in the large tank 80 is detected from the output of the liquid level detection sensor 72. For example, a warning “Please use cubicle” is displayed on the panel 20 to prompt the operator to use the cubicen 14. As a result, the container for transferring the replenisher to the storage tank 26 is changed from the large tank 80 to the cubicen 14.

  In the embodiment described above, the protective pipe is made of vinyl chloride. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any material can be used as long as it has sufficient strength and chemical resistance. Also good. In the above embodiment, the small-capacity container is 5 liters and the large-capacity container is 200 liters. However, the present invention is not limited to such values. For example, the small-capacity container is 10 liters and the large-capacity container is It may be 100 liters.

  In the above embodiment, the operator switches between the cubicer and the large tank. However, when the cubicle is being used, the suction nozzle is inserted into the large tank in advance, and the frequency of replacing the cubicen increases. Alternatively, the bellows pump may be automatically driven to switch to a large tank.

  In the above embodiment, the replenisher is supplied to the PS plate processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the replenisher is supplied to various processing apparatuses such as a film developing apparatus. It may be a thing. In the above-described embodiment, the replenisher supplying apparatus supplies the replenisher to various processing apparatuses. However, the liquid supplying apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the replenisher, and the developer supplied to the photosensitive material processing apparatus. Liquids such as soy sauce, milk, alcohols, juices, edible liquids such as water, industrial liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, alcohols, and water, and natural waters in rivers and ponds Can be used in general.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a replenisher supply apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of a storage tank. It is a side view which shows a suction nozzle and a liquid level detection sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure which liquid-feeds from a large capacity container.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Replenisher supply apparatus 14 Cubictainer 26, 28, 30 Storage tank 32, 34 Connection pipe 33 Control box 52, 72, 74 Liquid level detection sensor 56, 58 Bellows pump 64, 66 Suction nozzle 76 Support member 78 Tube 80 Large tank 88 Replenisher 90 PS plate processor 92 Timer

Claims (3)

In a liquid supply apparatus for supplying liquid from a container containing liquid to a processing apparatus,
A suction nozzle that is connected to the liquid feed pump for liquid via a pipe line, sucks out liquid from the container, and has an outer peripheral surface covered with a protective pipe;
A liquid level detection sensor provided along the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle and having a rod-like electrode for measuring the liquid level of the liquid in the container;
A liquid supply apparatus comprising:   The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped electrode is supported by a support member provided on the protective pipe, and detects a liquid level of the liquid in the container. A lower end of an insulating coating that covers the rod-shaped electrode and is divided in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped electrode and covers the uppermost portion of the rod-shaped electrode in the longitudinal direction between the rod-shaped electrode and the support member The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the liquid is located above the liquid level of the liquid in the container.

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