JP2576166B2 - Developing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The developing device of the present invention will be described according to the following items.

A. Industrial application fields B. Summary of the invention C. Prior art a. General background b. One example of a conventional pressure printer [Fig. 9] D. Problems to be solved by the invention [Fig. FIG. 10] E. Means for Solving Problems F. Embodiment [FIGS. 1 to 8] F-1. First Embodiment [FIGS. 1 to 5] a. Stage [Figs. 1 to 5] b. Feed roller, FOT, sensor, etc. [Figs. 1 to 4] c. Movable frame, driven roller [Figs. 1 to 4] d. Guide base, chain , Motor [FIGS. 1 to 5
Figure] d-1. Guide base d-2. Chain and motor e. Pressure roller [Figs. 1 to 5] f. Chain guide [Figs. 1 to 5] f-1. Structure f-2 .Chain running path rules f-3. Pressure contact of pressure roller to stage g. Movement of pressure roller with respect to stage and position detection h. Photosensitive film, colored paper, etc. [Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4] i. Print F-2. Second embodiment [Fig. 6] F-3. Third embodiment [Figs. 7 and 8] F-4. Modifications G. Effects of the invention ( A. Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a novel developing device. More specifically, a photosensitive material in which a dye precursor that forms a color by combining with a predetermined developing substance or a color forming substance that itself has a color forming property is encapsulated in a very small capsule of an exposure-curing type or an exposure-softening type, and a predetermined developing agent. The present invention relates to a developing device that causes an image to appear on the color-developed material by pressing the color material with each other by a pressure unit, and by devising a pressure unit for pressing the photosensitive material and the color-developed paper, The pressure required for the pressurizing means can be considerably reduced, so that this type of developing apparatus can be made compact and inexpensive, and the power consumption is small and development can be performed at high speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new developing device.

(B. Summary of the Invention) The developing device of the present invention is a developing device which develops an image on a developed material by pressing a photosensitive material and a developed material under a predetermined pressure by a pressurizing means. And a roller that moves in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the photosensitive material and the developing material while rolling while being pressed against the stage with the developing paper therebetween, and rotatably supported by an endless driving body. Thus, this type of developing device can be made compact and inexpensive and easy to assemble or maintain, and the power consumption can be reduced, and the roller is made of a photosensitive material or a developing material. Although the development is performed while moving in the direction intersecting the feeding direction, development at a considerably high speed can be performed.

(C. Prior Art) (a. General Background) There are various developing systems for developing an image on a color developing paper. One of the developing systems is a photosensitive material having a color-forming element and a predetermined color developing material. There is a type in which an image is made to appear on the above-described color developing material by pressing the developing material against each other. Such a developing system is used in a pressure printer or a pressure fixing type copying machine.

For example, a pressure-type printer encloses a dye precursor that develops color by combining with a predetermined developing material in a very small capsule where pressure-resistant nondestructive properties are generated by exposure to predetermined light. Using a photosensitive film coated with a dye precursor as a photosensitive material, the exposed surface of the photosensitive film, for example, to form a photographic film by exposing according to each pixel of the image decomposed by ultraviolet light, By superimposing the photosensitive film in this state on a developing paper coated with a predetermined developing material and pressing,
The unexposed capsule is destroyed, and the dye precursor in the capsule is transferred to a color developing paper, whereby a predetermined image appears on the color developing paper.

(B. Example of conventional pressure printer) [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 schematically shows an example a of a conventional pressure printer.

In the figure, b is a long photosensitive film, and c is a cut-sheet type color developing paper. Reference numerals d and e denote substantially cylindrical pressure rollers having a length slightly longer than the width of the developing paper c, and the lower pressure roller e is rotatably supported by a support frame (not shown) and rotated by a motor. , Upper pressure roller d
Is rotatably supported by a pressing frame (not shown) pressed downward by a strong resilient member, and is in pressure contact with a lower pressing roller e. After a predetermined exposure to b is performed, it is supplied between the pressure rollers d and e in a state of being superposed on each other.

When the lower pressure roller e rotates, the upper pressure roller d pressed against it also rotates, so that the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c run while being pressed against each other. The capsule of the unexposed dye precursor of the photosensitive film b is destroyed, and the dye precursor encapsulated therein is transferred to the developing paper c, whereby the dye precursor is developed on the developing paper and developed. An image is printed on colored paper.

(D. Problems to be solved by the invention) [FIG. 9, FIG.
Figure] According to the above-described printer a, the printing operation can be performed continuously without a break, so that there is an advantage that the printing speed is high.

However, since the upper and lower pressure rollers d and e press the entire band-shaped pressure contact area extending in the width direction of the photosensitive film b and the color developing paper c, an extremely large pressure is required. For example, when the pressure rollers d and e are of a size corresponding to the A4 size color developing paper, the pressing force by the pressure rollers d and e requires 1,000 kg to 1,500 kg,
It is necessary to provide an extremely large pressure source capable of applying such a strong pressure to the support frame supporting the upper pressure roller d, for example, a compression spring having an extremely high spring constant.

Therefore, the printer a using such pressurizing rollers d and e requires very high mechanical strength in each part, and uses a motor having a large output, or controls the rotation of the motor on the lower side. Since it is necessary to use a chain or the like for the transmission mechanism for transmitting the pressure to the pressure roller e, the shape and weight are large for the size of the image to be printed, the cost is high, and assembly and maintenance are difficult. Problem.

Therefore, even if the pressure of the pressing means is small, the photosensitive film b
A developing device f as shown in FIG. 10 was considered in order to be able to pressurize the developing paper c with the necessary pressure. That is, a stage g on which the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c are placed in an overlapping state is provided, and the stage g
A pressure roller h on a substantially circular plate which rolls in a state of being pressed against is provided so as to reciprocate between both ends of a moving range extending along the stage g, and the pressure roller h is provided with the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c. Is moved while rolling while being pressed against the stage g, with the scanning area extending in a narrow band shape of the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c being pressed. And a predetermined pitch is alternately performed to develop one image.

According to such a developing device f, since the pressing roller h serving as a pressing unit moves so as to scan the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c, the pressure is applied between the pressing rollers d and e of the printer a. Much less than the pressure required for

However, in such a developing device f, the pressure roller h
Reciprocates between both ends of the moving range, the frequency of rotation of the motor for moving the pressure roller h is frequently switched, and therefore, the power consumption due to the frequently repeated startup of the motor is very low. It is difficult to increase the development efficiency because there is a certain limit if the start and stop are constantly repeated in order to increase the rotation speed, and further, the life of the motor is shortened, and There are various problems such as generation of noise and vibration.

(E. Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the developing device of the present invention includes a pressing means for pressing the photosensitive material and the color developing material into contact with each other. And a roller rotatably supported by an endless driving body that moves while rolling in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the photosensitive material and the color developing material while being pressed against the stage. It is constituted by

Therefore, according to the developing device of the present invention, the developing is performed while the roller, which is a pressing means for pressing the photosensitive material and the developed material against each other, moves so as to scan the photosensitive material and the developed material. Therefore, the shape and required pressure can be considerably reduced as compared with the pressing means for pressing the entire area in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the photosensitive material and the color developing material at one time. The device can be made compact, lightweight, low-cost, and easy to assemble and handle. In addition, the scanning speed and unit of the roller against the photosensitive material can be controlled by running the driving body in one direction during development. Since the number of scans per unit time can be increased, the present invention is not limited to the development in which the pressing unit scans the photosensitive material and the color developing material in a direction intersecting the feeding direction. It is possible to increase the efficiency and, moreover, it is possible to reduce the power consumption since it is possible to continuously rotate the motor for driving the drive member.

(F. Embodiment) [FIGS. 1 to 8] Hereinafter, the details of the developing device of the present invention will be described in accordance with each of the illustrated embodiments.

(F-1. First Embodiment) [FIGS. 1 to 5] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment in which the developing device of the present invention is applied to a printer using a long photosensitive film as a photosensitive material. FIG.

(A. Base, Stage) [FIGS. 1 to 5] Reference numeral 2 denotes a base of the printer 1 and a bottom plate 3 and left and right sides of the bottom plate 3 (the left side in FIG. 2 is the left side, and the right side is the right side. Further, the lower side in the figure is the front side, the upper side is the rear side, and the upper side in Fig. 3 is the upper side and the lower side is the lower side. A shaft-like bar 5 and a side wall 4, which connect between the side walls 4, 4 'standing upright from both ends and a substantially middle part in the vertical direction of the front end of the side walls 4, 4',
And a back plate 6 connected between the rear ends 4 '.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a stage for pressing the photosensitive film and the developed paper together with a pressure roller described below, with the photosensitive film and the developed paper being interposed therebetween.

The stage 7 is formed of a metal having relatively high hardness, is elongated in the left-right direction, and has a substantially rectangular shape whose cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is long in the up-down direction.
Both ends are fixed to a substantially intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the upper end of the side walls 4, 4 '.

The upper surface 8 of the stage 7 has a pressure receiving surface 8a having a length slightly longer than the width of a color-developed paper or the like, which will be described later, excluding the left and right end portions, and a guide surface 8 extending from both ends of the pressure receiving surface 8a to the left and right sides.
b, 8c, the pressure receiving surface 8a is a horizontal surface,
The guide surfaces 8b and 8c are inclined so as to be displaced downward with a relatively gentle gradient as the distance from the pressure receiving surface 8a increases.

The upper surface 8 of the stage 7 is located slightly higher than the upper edges of the side walls 4, 4 '.

Reference numerals 9, 9 and 9 ', 9' denote paper guides fixed to the front and rear sides of the stage 7, which are elongated in the vertical direction, and whose upper end is slightly higher than the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7. The distance between the left paper guides 9 and 9 and the right paper guides 9 'and 9' is substantially equal to the width of the color developing paper described later.

(B. Feed roller, FOT, sensor, etc.) [FIGS. 1 to 4
FIG. 10 is a feed roller for running a photosensitive film and a color developing paper, which will be described later, and is arranged at a position slightly behind the stage 7 and slightly below the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7. Is a tension roller disposed at a position slightly away from the front of the stage 7 and slightly below the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7. These rollers 10, 11 are rotatable at both ends on the side walls 4, 4 '. The sheet is rotated clockwise in FIG. 4 at a predetermined timing by a paper feed motor 12 composed of a step motor and the like supported on the bottom plate 3 of the base 2 and reduction mechanisms 13 and 14. It has become so. Then, the feed roller 10 rotates slightly slower than the tension roller 11, whereby the photosensitive film and the developing paper described later
I'm getting a little nervous between eleven.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a lock member for locking a movable frame, which will be described later, rotatably supported by the base portion 2 to the base portion 2, and both left and right end portions thereof are rotatably supported by the crosspiece 5, and Lock claws 15a, 15a are formed at the upper ends of both left and right ends.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a light source (hereinafter referred to as "FOT") formed by bundling a number of optical fibers for exposing a photosensitive film described later in a pattern corresponding to an image signal. The FOT 16 is shown only in FIG. ), And the light-emitting surface 16a is supported by the base portion 2 with the light-emitting surface 16a facing slightly upward at the rear.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a sensor for detecting the position of a pressure roller described later. A light emitting element 18 and a light receiving element mounted on a portion of the right paper guide 9 ', 9' fixed to the stage 7 and higher than the stage 7 are provided. 19 light emitting devices
The light receiving element 18 and the light receiving element 19 are arranged so as to be coaxially opposed to each other.

(C. Movable frame, driven roller) [FIGS. 1 to 4] Reference numeral 20 denotes a movable frame, and the side walls 4, 4 'of the base portion 2
A connecting plate 22 (shown in FIG. 2), which has substantially the same size as that of FIG. The lower ends of the rear ends of the side plates 21 and 21 'are rotatably supported by the support shafts 23 and 23 on the upper ends of the rear ends of the side walls 4, 4' of the base portion 2. Have been.

Locked pins 24, 24 protrude inward from corners where the front edges and lower edges of the side plates 21, 21 'intersect, and the movable frame 20 is moved from the front end of the side plates 21, 21' to the side. The bent pieces 21a, 21'a protruding toward the upper side 4 of the side walls 4, 4 'of the base portion 2
a on the locked pin 2
When the lock claws 15a, 15a of the lock element 15 are engaged with the lock members 15 from above, the lock member 15 is locked to the base portion 2.

Reference numerals 25 and 26 denote driven rollers which make a pair with the feed roller 10 and the tension roller 11, respectively, and support arms 27 and 2 whose both ends are rotatably supported by the side plates 21 and 21 '.
While being rotatably supported by the rotating end of 7, ...
When the movable frame 20 is locked with respect to the base 2, the torsion springs 28 provided on the support arms 27, 27,. , 28,... Each roller 1
It is designed to be hit by 0 and 11.

(D. Guide base, chain, motor) [FIGS. 1 to 5] (d-1. Guide base) 29 is a guide base that supports a chain guide and the like described later.

The guide base 29 is composed of a main part 30 having a width longer than the width of the stage 7 and having a plate shape elongated in the left-right direction.
Two guide walls 31, 31 protruding downward from positions closer to the front and rear sides from the center of each of the 30 are integrally formed. A guide groove 32 is formed between the two guide walls 31. At the center of the left and right ends of the main portion 30, long cutouts 30a, 30a are formed in the left and right direction.
Mounting part 30 protruding downward from the front and rear ends of the left and right ends
b, 30b, ... are formed integrally, and the guide base
29 is a side plate of the movable frame 20 when the mounting portions 30b, 30b,.
By being fixed to 21, 21 ', it is fixedly supported by the movable frame 20.

Note that the guide base 29 is such that the movable frame 20 is
The stage 7 is provided so as to face the stage 7 from directly above in a locked state.

33, 33 and 33 ', 33' are bearings fixed to the main part 30 of the guide base 29, of which two on the left side 33, 33 are main parts.
The guide wall 31, 31 is arranged at a position facing the left end of the lower surface of the lower surface of the 30 with the front and rear sides interposed therebetween, and the right bearing 33 ',
33 'is a guide wall on the right side of the lower surface of the main part 30.
The guide walls 31, 31 are arranged at positions facing each other with the insertion holes 34 formed in portions of the guide walls 31, 31 that are coaxial with the bearings 33, 33, and 33 ′, 33 ′. ,
34 and 34 ', 34' are formed.

(D-2. Chain, motor) Reference numerals 35 and 36 denote rotating shafts, which are inserted into the insertion holes 34, 34 and 34 ', 34' formed in the guide walls 31, 31, respectively, with some margin. Further, both ends of the left rotating shaft 35 are supported by left bearings 33, 33, and both ends of the right rotating shaft 36 are supported by right bearings 33 ', 33'.

Reference numerals 37 and 38 denote sprocket wheels. The sprocket wheels 37 and 38 are positioned at the notches 30a, 30a formed in the main portion 30 of the guide base 29, and the centers thereof are fixed to the rotating shafts 35, 36. I have.

An endless chain 39 is bridged between the sprocket wheels 37 and 38.

Accordingly, the chain 39 extends in the left-right direction with the turning points at both ends thereof, that is, the two running paths between the portions meshed with the sprocket wheels 37, 38 facing in parallel in the vertical direction. For convenience, the portion of the chain 39 located on the upper traveling system road is denoted by reference numeral “39a”, and the portion located on the lower traveling system road is denoted by reference numeral “39b”.

The chain 39 has a so-called roller chain structure, that is,
Each pair of inner plates 40 and 40, 40 and 40, parallel to each other
. And a pair of outer plates 41 and 41, 41 and 41,... Are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction thereof and the inner plates 40 and 4
, And the respective ends of the outer plates 41, 41, ... are rotatably connected by connecting pins 42, 42, ... and to the connecting pins 42, 42, ... The rollers 43, 43... Are rotatably fitted to the outside.

The outer diameter of the rollers 43, 43,.
0,..., The width of the outer plates 41, 41,.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a motor mounting plate protruding inward from the right side plate 21 ′ of the movable frame 20, that is, toward the left side, and a motor 45 for running the chain 39 is mounted on the motor mounting plate 44. It is attached with the axial direction along the front-back direction.

A driving gear 46 is fixed to a rotating shaft 45a of the motor 45, and a driven gear 47 is fixed to a front end of the rotating shaft 36 supporting the right sprocket wheel 38. The driving gear 46 is meshed with the driving gear 46.

When the motor 45 rotates, the rotation is
The sprocket wheel 38 is transmitted to the right sprocket wheel 38 via the driven gear 47, the driven gear 47 and the rotating shaft 36, and the sprocket wheel 38 is rotated, whereby the chain 39 is run.

When the printing operation is started, the motor 45
Since the sprocket wheel 38 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the front and the sprocket wheel 38 is rotated counterclockwise, the chain 39 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Thus, the vehicle travels so that the portion 39b on the lower traveling route moves rightward.

Further, as described above, since the guide base 29 is located above the stage 7 with the movable frame 20 locked to the base portion 2, the chain 39 is located above the stage 7 in this state. . That is, the portions 39a and 39b located on the traveling path above the chain 39 travel above the stage 7 along the direction in which the stage 7 extends.

(E. Pressure roller) [FIGS. 1 to 5] Reference numerals 48, 48, 49, and 49 denote plate-like roller support pieces having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. 49 and 49 are opposed to each other in parallel, and one end in the height direction is a pair of outer plates 41 of the chain 39.
And 41 and 41 and 41, and the remaining portion is provided so as to protrude outward from the chain 39. The support shaft is located at a position near the end on the side opposite to the chain 39. Five
Both ends of 0, 50 'are supported.

Reference numerals 51 and 51 'denote pressure rollers, and the roller support pieces 4
8, 48 and 49, has a diameter of more than half the height of 49, and has a thickness substantially the same as the spacing between the roller support pieces 48 and 48 and between 49 and 49, these With roller support piece 48
The center is rotatably supported by the support shafts 50 and 50 'in a state between 48 and 49 and 49, and a part thereof is on the opposite side of the chain 39 of the roller support pieces 48, 48 and 49 and 49. Projecting from the end of

Accordingly, the pressing rollers 51 and 51 'are in a state where their axial directions are along the front-back direction.

The roller supporting pieces 48, 48 and 49, 49 are provided at two positions in the chain 39 that bisect the length of the chain 39, so that the two pressure rollers 51 and 51 ' Are always symmetrical with respect to an intermediate point on a straight line connecting the turning points at both ends of the line.

Since the pressure rollers 51 and 51 'are supported by the chain 39, the chain 39 moves integrally with the running of the chain 39, and the roller supporting pieces 48, 48 or 49 and 49 are moved below the chain 39. Stage 7 when the vehicle is on the road
To move from above to the upper surface 8 of the first member.

(F. Chain Guide) [FIGS. 1 to 5] (f-1. Structure) 52 is a portion 39 located on the lower traveling path of the chain 39
It is a chain guide for regulating the position of the stage 7 in the width direction of the stage 7 and pressing the pressing rollers 51 and 51 'against the stage 7.

The chain guide 52 has a width substantially equal to the width of the guide groove 32 of the guide base 29 when viewed from above, is elongated in the left-right direction, and has cutouts 30 at both ends of the main portion 30 of the guide base 29.
a, 30a has a length substantially the same as the length between the inner ends thereof, and has a height of about half of the height of the guide walls 31, 31, and the height of the lower surface is closer to the front and rear ends. Grooves 53, 53 having a depth of more than half of
A pressing ridge 54 is formed between the two grooves 53 and 53, and the width of the pressing ridge 54 is substantially equal to the distance between a pair of inner plates 40 and 40 of the chain 39 facing each other. Further, both end portions 54a and 54b of the lower surface are inclined surfaces which are displaced upward toward the tip.

55 are pins protruding downward from a portion corresponding to the guide groove 32 on the lower surface of the main portion 30 of the guide base 29, and are arranged at substantially constant intervals in the left-right direction. I have.

The chain guide 52 is housed in the guide groove 32 of the guide base 29 so as to be vertically movable, that is, the front and rear both surfaces 52a, 52a are stored in a state of sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the guide walls 31, 31, and A guide groove 32 is formed from the guide walls 31, 31 of the receiving plates 56, 56 fixed to the lower end surfaces of the guide walls 31, 31, respectively.
The protrusion protruding to the side prevents the guide groove 32 from being pulled downward, and the compression springs 57, 57,... Externally fitted to the pins 55, 55,.
By being contracted between the lower surface of the chain guide 52 and the upper surface of the chain guide 52, a downward moving force is always urged by a predetermined pressure.

Although not shown, the guide base 29 is provided with stopper means for preventing the movement of the chain guide 52 in the left-right direction.
The position of the 52 in the left-right direction is defined to be constant.

When the movable frame 20 is locked with respect to the base portion 2, the entire chain guide 52 is opposed to the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7 from above, and is pressed upward. While not being held, it is held at a position seated on the receiving plates 56, 56.

(F-2. Rules for Chain Traveling Path) Most of the part 39b located on the lower traveling path of the chain 39 except for the left and right ends of the chain guide 5
2 and the pressing ridges 54 of the chain guide 52 are opposed to the inner plates 40 and 4 of the chain 39.
0,... And 40, 40,..., And slightly press the rollers 43, 43,. To make contact.

Therefore, the position in the front-rear direction of the portion 39b located on the lower traveling path of the chain 39 is regulated by the pressing ridge 54 of the chain guide 52, whereby the stage of the lower traveling path of the chain 39 is moved. 7, the position in the width direction is regulated to a fixed position.

In addition, the traveling path under the chain 39 is viewed from above,
The upper surface 8 of the stage 7 corresponds to a substantially middle portion in the width direction.

Also, since the left and right end portions 54a, 54b of the lower surface of the holding ridge 54 are slopes that are displaced upward toward the tip,
The chains 43 are smoothly engaged and disengaged from the rollers 43, 43,.

(F-3. Pressure Contact of Pressure Roller to Stage) Then, pressure rollers 51 and 51 ′ are pressed against pressure receiving surface 8 a of stage 7.
When the chain guide 52 is not
Are seated on the receiving plates 56, 56. In this state, the distance l between the pressing ridge 54 and the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7 is
Are connecting pins 42, 42,.. Supporting the ends of the pressure rollers 51, 51 'on the side opposite to the chain 39 and the roller support pieces 48, 48, 49, 49.
.. Are slightly smaller than the distance L between the ends of the rollers 43, 43,... ′ Comes to a position facing the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7, the chain guide 52 is slightly pushed upward against the pressing force of the compression springs 57, 57,. The pressure rollers 51 or 51 'are compression springs 57, 57,.
Due to the resilient force, the stage 7 is pressed against the pressure receiving surface 8a.

(G. Movement and position detection of the pressure roller with respect to the stage) The pressure rollers 51 and 51 ′ are the pressure receiving surfaces of the stage 7.
While facing the pressure receiving surface 8a, the pressure receiving surface 8a is moved to the right while rolling while being pressed against the pressure receiving surface 8a at a predetermined pressure.
The lower running system path 39 is regulated by the chain guide 52 to be straight in the left-right direction.

Further, as described above, since the left and right ends of the upper surface 8 of the stage 7, that is, the guide surfaces 8b and 8c are formed on the slopes which are displaced downward as the distance from the pressure receiving surface 8a increases, the pressure rollers 51, 51 ′, When riding on the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7, first comes into contact with the left guide surface 8b and is guided upward by the guide surface 8b.
The pressure rollers 51, 51 'can smoothly ride on the pressure receiving surface 8a.

The pressure roller 51 or 51 ′ is a pressure receiving surface of the stage 7.
8a, the right end of the pressure receiving surface 8a (hereinafter referred to as a "pressing end position". In FIGS. 2 and 3, one pressing roller 51 is at this position. ), The roller support piece 48 supporting it,
48 or 49, 49 are the light emitting element 18 and the light receiving element of the sensor 17
19, the light emitted from the light emitting element 18 to the light receiving element 19 is blocked, whereby it is detected that the pressing roller 51 or 51 'has reached the pressing end position. Is done.

Since the two pressure rollers 51 and 51 'are provided at two positions in the chain 39 that divide the length thereof into two, when one of the pressure rollers 51 or 51' comes to the pressure end position. The other pressure roller 51 'or 51 comes to a position close to the left end of the traveling path on the upper side of the chain 39, and from this state the pressure roller 51' or 51 rides on the pressure receiving surface 8a. (Below, referred to as the “pressing start position”), no pressure roller is in contact with the pressure receiving surface 8a.

When the chain 39 travels, the two pressure rollers 51 and 51 'scan the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7 alternately at a constant timing.

(H. Photosensitive film, color developing paper, etc.) [FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG.
FIG. 58 is a film cassette (shown only in FIG. 4) in which a long photosensitive film 59 is stored in a state wound in a roll shape, the axial direction of which extends along the left-right direction.
And the film outlet 58a faces upward so that the base portion 2
At the rear end of the lower end.

After the photosensitive film 59 is pulled out from the film cassette 58, the photosensitive film 59 is wound around a film guide 60 (shown only in FIG. 4), extends forward from the film guide 60, and extends between the feed roller 10 and the driven roller 25. And tension roller
11 and the driven roller 26, and is wound on a take-up spool (not shown), and the FOT 1 is located at a position between the film cassette 58 and the film guide 60.
The light-receiving surface 8a of the stage 7 is in contact with the light emitting surface 16a of the stage 6 and between a portion sandwiched between the feed roller 10 and the driven roller 25 and a portion sandwiched between the tension roller 11 and the driven roller 26. The portion between the paper guides 9, 9 and 9 ', 9' is contacted.

The photosensitive film 59 is provided on one side of an appropriate film substrate.
59a (hereinafter referred to as an "exposed surface") is formed by coating a myriad of photosensitive dye precursors, and the dye precursors are irradiated with light of an exposure-curing type, that is, ultraviolet light of a predetermined wavelength. In this case, a dye precursor which combines with a predetermined developing substance and forms a predetermined color is enclosed in a very small capsule which produces a pressure-resistant non-destructive property.

.. Are colored paper on which an image is printed, are formed in a substantially rectangular cut-sheet shape, and have the dye precursor on one surface 61a (hereinafter, referred to as “developing surface”). A developing substance is applied which combines with a dye precursor of the body to form a predetermined color.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a paper feed tray in which a large number of the developed papers 61, 61,... Are stored, and 63 denotes a paper feed roller (these are shown only in FIG. 4). 6
Are supplied between the feed roller 10 and the driven roller 25 at a predetermined timing one by one.

 Reference numeral 64 denotes a paper discharge guide plate.

The pressure rollers 51, 51 'moving on the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7 come off the right edge of the photosensitive film 59 and the color developing paper 61 immediately before reaching the pressure end position.

(I. Printing) The printing operation by the printer 1 configured as described above is performed, for example, as follows.

The running of the chain 39 starts, that is, the pressing roller
When the movement of 51, 51 'starts, the light emitting element 18 of the sensor 17
From the light emitted toward the light receiving element 19 is interrupted at regular time intervals by the roller support pieces 48, 48 or 49, 49, and a predetermined signal is output from the sensor 17 by the interruption, When the signal is output, the motor
12, that is, the paper feed motor rotates for a certain time to feed the photosensitive film 59 and the developing paper 61 forward by a certain amount.

When a print operation start command is issued, first, the pressure rollers 51, 51 'are moved to a position other than on the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7, and wait at that position. This control is performed, for example, by running the chain 39 once and stopping the rotation of the motor 45 when there is an output from the sensor 17.

Then, first, the photosensitive film 59 is run at a constant pitch by the feed roller 10, the driven roller 25, the tension roller 11, and the driven roller 26, and the exposed surface 59a is
Exposure is performed every fixed line by 16 to form a photographic film of one image.

After or before completion of the formation of the photographic film, at a predetermined timing, a single color developing paper 61 is fed out with its leading end located at a position slightly earlier than the leading end of the photographic film. And supplied on the stage 7.

Then, when the leading end of the portion of the photosensitive film 59 that has become the printing film reaches the intermediate portion in the width direction of the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7, it is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the motor 45 rotates, and the chain 45 Make 39 run. Accordingly, the pressing roller 51 or 51 'is moved rightward while rolling while being pressed against the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7 with the developing paper 61 and the photosensitive film 59 interposed therebetween.
61 and the photosensitive film 59 will be scanned in the width direction,
As a result, a predetermined area (hereinafter, referred to as a “press-contact area”) extending in a band-like manner in the width direction of the developer paper 61 and the photosensitive film 59.
Are pressed against each other by the pressure roller 51 or 51 ′ and the pressure receiving surface 8 a of the stage 7.

Incidentally, when the pressure roller 51 or 51 'comes to the pressure end position, there is an output from the sensor 17, whereby, for a certain period of time, that is, the pressure roller 51' or the pressure roller 51 'which has not come to the pressure end position.
The developing dye 61 and the photosensitive film 59 are sent within the time until the 51 comes to the pressing start position, whereby the developing paper 61 and the photosensitive film 59 have a predetermined pitch, that is, slightly smaller than the width of the pressure contact area. A narrow pitch running is performed, and immediately after or almost simultaneously with the running, the pressing roller 51 ′ or 51 runs on the pressure receiving surface 8 a of the stage 7 and scans the developing paper 61 and the photosensitive film 59 while pressing. Become.

That is, the motor is driven until all printing of a predetermined image is completed.
45 is continuously rotated, so that the pressure rollers 51 and 51 'alternately rotate the developing paper 61 and the photosensitive film 59 at a fixed timing.
Is pressed in the direction perpendicular to the feed direction, and the end of the pressure scan by one pressure roller 51 or 51 ′ and the start of the pressure scan by the other pressure roller 51 ′ or 51 ′. The developer paper 61 and the photosensitive film 59 run at a constant pitch.

Thus, each time the pressure roller 51 or 51 'scans the photosensitive film 59 and the developing paper 61 once in the width direction, the photosensitive film
59 in the press-contact area of the photographic film
The capsule of the dye precursor that has not been exposed by the FOT 16 is destroyed, and the dye precursor is transferred to the developing surface of the color developing paper 61 to develop color, whereby a part of a predetermined image is printed on the color developing paper 61. That is, by repeating such a print, one image is formed on the developing paper 61.
Will appear.

Since the pressure rollers 51 and 51 'are moved so as to scan the photosensitive film 59 and the developing paper 61 in the width direction thereof, the pressure applied to the stage 7 is, for example, the pressure of the photosensitive film 59 and the developing paper 61. Assuming that a pressing force of 1,000 kg to 1,500 kg is required for the entire pressure contact area, it is sufficient to have a strength of about 2 to 3 kg.

The chain 3 supporting the pressure rollers 51, 51 '
9 can always be run in one direction and continuously,
The motor 45 for driving the chain 39 can be continuously rotated, so that the number of times of pressing the photosensitive film 59 and the developing paper 61 by the pressing rollers 51, 51 'per unit time can be increased. As a result, the development efficiency can be increased, and the motor 45 does not start and stop repeatedly, so that the power consumption is extremely small.
Life can be extended.

(F-2. Second Embodiment) [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 shows a developing device 65 according to a second embodiment 65 of the present invention.

The developing device 65 shown in the second embodiment is different from the printer 1 in that a driving body for supporting the pressure roller, a structure for supporting the pressure roller on the driving body, and the pressing roller are pressed against the stage. Means only. Therefore, only the main parts are shown in the drawings, and the parts that are not different are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used for the printer 1 and the description is omitted.

Reference numeral 66 denotes an endless timing belt (only a part is shown in the drawing), and two toothed pulleys 67 and 67 (one of which is shown in the drawing) rotatably supported at both left and right ends of the movable frame 20. ), The two running paths between the turning points at both ends thereof are vertically opposed to each other and are extended so as to extend along the direction in which the stage 7 extends. Roller supporting members 68, 68 (only one of which is shown in the drawing) are fixed to two positions on the surface 66a that divide the timing belt 66 into two in the longitudinal direction.

The roller support member 68 includes a main part 68a fixed to the timing belt 66, and support pieces 68b, 68b protruding from both front and rear ends of the main part 68a toward the anti-timing belt 66 side.
Both ends of a support shaft 69 are supported at the distal ends of 68b and 68b, and a pressing roller 70 is provided between support pieces 68b and 68b of the support shaft 69.
Are rotatably supported.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a pressed shaft provided so as to penetrate the main portion 68a of the roller support member 68 in the front-rear direction.
Pressed rollers 72, 72 are rotatably supported by portions of the roller support member 68 projecting forward and backward.

Reference numerals 73, 73 denote pressure guides having a plate shape elongated in the left-right direction. Like the chain guide 52 shown in the first embodiment, the pressure guides are vertically movable within a certain range with respect to the movable frame 20. , And is always urged downward by a moving force, and is substantially the same as the portion 66b on both the front and rear sides of the portion 66b of the timing belt 66 which is located on the lower traveling path. It is arranged to extend at a height in parallel with the timing belt 66.

When the timing belt 66 travels, the roller supporting members 68 are moved integrally with the timing belt 66. When one of the roller supporting members 68, 68 faces the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7, the roller is supported by the roller supporting member 68. Pressure roller
70 rides on the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7, and the pressed rollers 72, 72 come into contact with the pressure guides 73, 73 so as to slightly push it upward, whereby the pressure roller 70 receives the pressure. It moves while being pressed against the surface 8a.

Therefore, according to the developing device 65 shown in this embodiment, the position of the roller support member 68 supporting the pressure roller 70 in the vertical direction at both ends in the direction along the axial direction of the pressure roller 70 is two. Since the pressure guides 73 and 73 are equally defined, the posture of the pressure roller 70 with respect to the stage 7 can be more stably held, and as a result, the photosensitive film
The pressure on the developing paper 59 and the developing paper 61 can be uniformly applied to the entire area in the axial direction of the pressure roller 70, so that clean development without unevenness in development density can be performed.

(F-3. Third Embodiment) [FIGS. 7 and 8] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment 74 of the developing device of the present invention.
It shows.

The developing device 74 shown in the third embodiment is different from the printer 1 in that two chains are provided in parallel with the stage so that both ends of the pressure roller are supported by the two chains. And a driven roller that rotates in contact with the roller, and the driven roller is pressed toward the stage by a pressure guide.

75 and 75 'are sprocket wheels 78 which are rotated by a motor 76 and are fixed to a rotating shaft 77 rotatably supported at the left end of the movable frame 20 at intervals in the front-rear direction.
And 78 'are sprocket wheels fixed at intervals in the front-rear direction to a rotating shaft 79 rotatably supported at the right end of the movable frame 20, and between these left and right sprocket wheels 75 and 78, 75' Chains 80 and 80 'each having substantially the same structure as the chain 39 shown in the first embodiment are bridged between the two chains 80 and 80'. Are opposed to each other in the front-back direction in parallel.

81, 81 and 82, 82 are roller support pieces fixed at two positions of the front chain 80 that bisect the chain 80 in the longitudinal direction, and 83, 83, 84, 84 are rear chain 80s. ′
Roller support piece fixed to the front roller support piece.
81, 81 and rear roller support pieces 83, 83 face each other, and front roller support pieces 82, 82 and rear roller support pieces 84, 84 face each other in the front-rear direction. One end of each of the roller support pieces 81, 81, 82, 82, 83, 83 and 84, 84 is the same as the roller support pieces 48, 49 shown in the first embodiment. ′ Constitute one of the outer plates 41, 41,..., And the remaining portion protrudes outward from the chains 80, 80 ′, and the roller support pieces 81, 81, 82,. 82, 83, 83 and 84, 84 and inner plate 40,
The connection with 40,... Is made by connecting pins 85, 85 and 86, 86 bridged between the front and rear chains 80, 80 '. 87, 88,
88 are rotatably supported at a distance from each other.

Furthermore, the roller support pieces 81, 81 and 8 facing each other back and forth
Support shafts 89 and 90 are bridged between the respective distal end portions of 3, 83 and between the respective distal end portions of the roller support pieces 82, 82 and 84, 84, and a pressure roller 91 is driven by the driven roller 87 on the support shaft 89. The roller 87 is rotatably supported in contact with the roller 87, and the pressure roller 92 is supported on the supporting shaft 90 by the rotating material in contact with the driven rollers 88, 88.

When the motor 76 rotates, the two chains 8
0, 80 'run synchronously with each other, and the pressure roller 91 and the driven rollers 87, 87, the pressure roller 92, and the driven rollers 88, 88 run integrally therewith. When the driven rollers 87, 87, the pressure roller 92, and the driven rollers 88, 88 are located on the lower traveling path of the chains 80, 80 ', the pressure rollers 91 and 92 are driven by the driven rollers 87, 87 and Alternatively, the stage 7 is opposed to the stage 7 in a state where it is located below 88, 88.

Reference numeral 93 denotes a pressure guide (shown only in FIG. 8), which is also the chain guide 52 shown in the first embodiment.
Similarly to the above, the movable frame 20 is provided so as to be vertically displaced within a certain range, and is constantly urged to move downward. The driven roller 8 when moving corresponding to the system path
The driven rollers 87, 87 or 88, 88 are arranged so as to relatively press the driven rollers 87, 87 or 88, 88 from above by contacting the bottom, 7, 87 or 88, 88.

Therefore, when the pressure roller 91 and the driven rollers 87, 87 or the pressure roller 92 and the driven rollers 88, 88 move along the lower traveling path of the chains 80, 80 ', the pressure guide 93 and the stage 7, between the upper and lower sides and the pressure receiving surface 8a,
As a result, the pressure roller 91 or 92 is pressed against the pressure receiving surface 8a of the stage 7.

When the pressure rollers 91, 92 are in contact with the stage 7 and roll, the driven rollers 87, 87 or 88, 88, which are in contact with the pressure roller 91 or 92, rotate the pressure roller 91 or 92. It will rotate in the opposite direction.

According to this embodiment, the pressure for pressing the pressure rollers 91 and 92 against the stage 7 is controlled by the driven rollers 87 and 8.
Since it is applied to the pressure roller via 7, 88, 88, no excessive force is applied to the support shafts 89, 90 of the pressure rollers 91, 92 and the chains 80, 80 ', and the pressure guide 93 Can be made extremely small, so that the operation becomes smooth and the load on the motor 76 can be reduced.

(F-4. Modified Example) According to such a developing device of the present invention, the pressing phenomenon can be performed while feeding the photosensitive film and the color developing paper.

That is, if the axial direction of the pressure roller is slightly inclined with respect to the traveling direction (the traveling direction of the chain or the timing belt) in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the photosensitive film or the developing paper, the pressure roller is The pressing operation is accompanied by a force to displace the photosensitive film or the color-developed paper in the direction opposite to the feeding direction with respect to the traveling direction. Therefore, if the photosensitive film and the developing paper are sent by the amount corresponding to the displacement amount,
As a result, the force by which the pressure roller attempts to displace the photosensitive film and the color-developed paper in the counter-feeding direction is canceled. Therefore, a number of pressure rollers are attached to the chain or the timing belt, and the interval between the pressure rollers, the inclination angle of the shaft, the traveling speed of the chain and the timing belt, and the feed speed of the photosensitive film and the developing paper are appropriately selected. By doing so, the pressing phenomenon can be performed while continuously feeding the photosensitive film and the color developing paper.

(G. Effects of the Invention) As is apparent from the above description, the developing device of the present invention includes a stage and a roller that rolls while being pressed against the stage, and a photosensitive material is interposed between the stage and the roller. And a developing device for performing development by pressurizing the photosensitive material and the color-developing material, wherein the traveling system path between the turning points at both ends extends in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the photosensitive material and the color-developing material. And a roller that is rotatably supported by the driver.

Therefore, according to the developing device of the present invention, the developing is performed while the roller, which is a pressing means for pressing the photosensitive material and the developed material against each other, moves so as to scan the photosensitive material and the developed material. Therefore, the shape and pressure of the photosensitive material and the color developing material can be considerably reduced as compared with the pressing means for simultaneously pressing the entire area in the direction intersecting the feeding direction of the photosensitive material and the developing material. Can be significantly reduced in size and weight, and at a low cost, and can be easily assembled and handled.

In addition, since the scanning speed of the roller and the number of scans per unit time can be increased by moving the driving body in one direction without a break during the development, the pressing means can use the photosensitive material and the color developing material. The development efficiency can be increased in spite of the development while scanning in the direction intersecting the feed direction.

In addition, since the motor for driving the driving body can be continuously rotated, power consumption can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, both ends of the roller supporting member fixed to the driving body in the axial direction of the roller are positioned in the direction perpendicular to the roller contact surface of the stage by a pressure guide extending parallel to the stage. In the third embodiment, both ends in the axial direction of the roller are separately supported by two driving members extending parallel to each other and running in synchronization with each other, and the pressure roller is driven by a driven roller. However, by doing so, the position and orientation of the roller with respect to the stage can be extremely stably maintained, so that development with a uniform development density can be performed. it can.

Further, it is possible to simultaneously perform the pressing scanning of the photosensitive material and the color developing material by the roller and the feeding of the photosensitive material and the color developing material, so that the developing speed can be further increased.

In the above-described embodiment, the pressing member is always urged to the stage side by the resilient means, and when the roller scans the photosensitive material and the color developing material under pressure, the roller applies the elastic force of the resilient means. In order to apply the pressing force to the roller against the stage, the pressing force against the stage is applied to the roller. Means does not necessarily have to have a resilient means.

Further, in the above embodiment, an image is formed by exposing the present invention to a photosensitive film coated with a photosensitive dye precursor to form a printing film and superimposing the printing film on a color developing paper and applying pressure. Although applied to a printer that develops on the color-developed paper described above, the present invention is not limited to such application examples, and a developing paper provided with both a photosensitive dye precursor and a developing substance, that is, Various types of developing devices, such as a developing device for developing an image using a developing material integrated with a photosensitive material and a developing device for pressure-fixing the toner on a copying paper in a copying machine using a photosensitive printing toner or the like. Of the developing device. In other words, these developing devices also correspond to developing devices that perform development by pressing a photosensitive material and a developed material between a stage and a pressing roller and pressing them.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment in which the developing device of the present invention is applied to a pressure type printer. FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part shown partially cut away. The figure is a plan view,
3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a process in which the pressure roller rides on the upper surface of the stage. From (A) to (B)
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the developing device of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are third perspective views of the developing device of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part, and FIG. 8 is a view VIII-VI of FIG.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment of the developing device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a conventional pressure type printer. The figure is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a prototype of the developing device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 developing device 7 stage 39 driving device 51 and 51 ′ roller 59 photosensitive material 61 developing material 65 developing device 66 Driving body, 70 Roller, 74 Developing device, 80, 80 'Driving body, 91, 92 Roller

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Taki Sato 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (56) References JP-A-63-70254 (JP, A) (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A developing device comprising: a stage; and a roller which rolls in a state of being pressed against the stage, and performing development by pressing a photosensitive material and a color developing material between the stage and the roller. An endless drive unit is provided so that the running path between the turning points at both ends extends in a direction intersecting the feed direction of the photosensitive material and the color developing material, and a roller is rotatably supported by the drive unit. Developing device characterized by the following: