JP2629755B2 - 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. Example of conventional pressure printer [Fig. 8] D. Problems to be solved by the invention [Fig. FIG. 9] E. Means for Solving Problems F. Embodiments [FIGS. 1 to 7] a. Photosensitive Film, Developed Colored Paper [FIGS. 1, 3 to 5] b. Printer [FIGS. 1 to 7] b-1. Base section [FIGS. 2 to 4] b-2. Stage roller and stage drive section [FIGS. 1 to 5] b-3. FOT, film Guide plate etc. [Fig. 4] b-4. Movable frame, guide shaft, holding roller [Figs. 1 to 5] b-4-a. Movable frame, guide shaft b-4-b. Holding roller b- 5. Transfer belt, sensor [Figs. 1 to 5] b-6. Moving block [Figs. 1 to 6] b-6-a. Carriage, eaves b-6-b. Roller support arm, Pressure roller [ 1 to 6] b-6-c. Pressure contact and movement of pressure roller to stage roller b-7. Feed tray, feed roller [Fig. 4] b-8. Print [Fig. 7] b-8-a. Circuit [FIG. 7] b-8-b. Operation G. Effects of the Invention (A. Field of Industrial Application) 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 makes an image appear on the color-developed material by pressing two color members against each other by two pressure members that are pressed against each other, wherein one of the two pressure members is smoothly pressed to the other pressure member. The developing device of this type is compact and lightweight by pressing the photosensitive material and the color developing material while scanning against the other pressing member while riding on
In addition, the structure can be made easy to assemble and maintain, and the number of parts can be significantly reduced by making the other pressing member also serve as a feeding means for feeding the photosensitive material and the developing material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel developing device which prevents development unevenness caused by feeding of a photosensitive material and a color developing material.

(B. Summary of the Invention) In the developing device of the present invention, a photosensitive material and a color developing material are pressed against each other at a predetermined pressure by two pressure members for pressing each other, and a predetermined image appears on the color developing material. A developing device, wherein one of two pressing members is a stage rotatable in a feeding direction of a photosensitive material or the like, and the other is smoothly mounted on the stage and rolls in a direction intersecting the feeding direction while being pressed against the stage. When the photosensitive material and the like are fed, the stage is rotated so that the pressing force required for the pressing member can be significantly reduced.
The structure can be made easy to assemble and maintain at low cost, the number of parts can be greatly reduced, and friction occurs between the photosensitive material and the developing material when they are sent. Thus, clean development can be performed without causing uneven feeding and development of the photosensitive material due to the friction.

(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 coloring element and a predetermined developing material. There is one in which an image is made to appear on the above-mentioned color developing material by pressing 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 pre-dye driving substance that develops a color when combined with a predetermined developing substance in a very small capsule that produces pressure resistant nondestructive when exposed to predetermined light. A photosensitive film coated with a dye precursor is used as a photosensitive material, and the exposed surface of the photosensitive film is exposed, for example, by ultraviolet light according to each of the pixels of a predetermined image. While being formed, the photosensitive film in this state is overlapped with a developing paper coated with a predetermined developing material and pressurized, so that the capsule not exposed is destroyed, and the dye precursor in the capsule is converted to the developing paper. The image is transferred so that an image appears on the color developing paper.

(B. Example of Conventional Pressure Printer) [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 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.

d and e are elliptic cylindrical pressure rollers having a length slightly longer than the width of the developing paper c. The lower pressure roller e is rotatably supported by a support frame (not shown) and rotated by a motor. The upper pressure roller d is rotatably supported by a pressure frame (not shown) pressed downward by a strong resilient member, and is in pressure contact with the lower pressure roller e. After the photosensitive film b is exposed to light, the developing paper c is supplied between the pressure rollers d and e in a state of being superposed on each other.

Thus, when the lower pressure roller e rotates, the upper pressure roller d pressed against it also rotates together, so that the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c move between the two pressure rollers d and e. While traveling while being pressed, the pressure contact breaks the capsule of the unexposed dye precursor of the photosensitive film b, and transfers the dye precursor encapsulated therein to the developing paper c. The precursor is developed on the color developing paper c, and an image is printed on the color developing paper c.

(D. Problems to be Solved by the Invention) [FIGS. 8 and 9
According to the printer a described above, 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 at all, 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,
The support frame supporting the upper pressure roller d is provided with an extremely large pressure source capable of applying such a strong pressure, a compression spring having an extremely high spring constant, and the like.

Therefore, the printer a using such pressurizing rollers d and e requires extremely high mechanical strength in each part, and uses a motor having a large output or reduces the rotational force of the motor to a lower side. It is necessary to use a chain or the like as a transmission mechanism for transmitting the pressure to the pressure roller e, so that the shape and weight are large for the size of the image to be printed, and
There is a problem that the cost increases and the assembly and maintenance become difficult.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a pressing means for pressing the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c is pressed against the stage f fixed to the base portion and a substantially circular plate which rolls while being pressed against the stage f. Pressure roller g, and the pressure roller g is placed on a stage f with the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c interposed therebetween.
In the state where the photosensitive film b and the like are scanned in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the photosensitive film b while being pressed against the photosensitive film b, two sets of paper feed rollers h, h and i, i separated from each other in the feeding direction of the photosensitive film b and the like with the stage f therebetween. It is considered that pressure development is performed by feeding the photosensitive film b and the color developing paper c at a constant pitch, and alternately repeating such paper feeding and scanning of the pressure roller g.

According to such a printer j, since the pressing roller g, which is one component of the pressing means, moves so as to scan the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c, the pressing force can be extremely small. become.

However, paper feed rollers h, h, i, and i for feeding the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c are required, and a supporting mechanism for supporting them and an elasticity for pressing the pair of upper and lower and the paper feed rollers against each other. Since an emitting means is required, there is a problem that the number of parts increases.

Further, since the photosensitive film b and the color developing paper c are sent in contact with the stage f, the feed amount tends to be uneven due to a frictional load between the stage f and the feed amount. There is a problem in that the development density of each of the pressure contact areas of the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c, which is pressed by the pressure roller g, becomes uneven, so that it is impossible to perform a clean development.

In addition, when the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c are in sliding contact with the stage f, the photosensitive film b and the developing paper c
In addition, there is a problem that wrinkles are easily generated, and a large amount of fine powder of the photosensitive film b or the developing paper c is generated and adheres to peripheral members, thereby causing the developed image to be stained or malfunctioning. .

(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 against each other, by using an outer peripheral surface. A stage roller having a cylindrical pressure receiving portion having a pressure receiving surface and having both ends chamfered in an arc shape so as to be rotatable around the axis, and an axial direction of the stage roller in a state of being pressed against the pressure receiving surface of the stage roller. When the photosensitive material and the color developing material stacked on each other are developed by applying pressure between the stage roller and the roller, and when the photosensitive material and the like are fed, A stage roller is rotated.

Therefore, according to the developing device of the present invention, the roller, which is one component of the pressing means for pressing the photosensitive material and the color developing material together, smoothly rides on the stage which is one component of the pressing means, and Since it moves so as to scan against the color developing material, the shape of the pressing means and the pressing force required for the pressing means can be considerably reduced,
As a result, this type of developing device can be made compact, lightweight, low-cost and easy to assemble and maintain, and the photosensitive material and the developing material can be fed by rotating the stage roller. Therefore, when the photosensitive material or the color developing material is fed, there is no friction between the material and the stage, and the photosensitive material and the like can be fed accurately at a predetermined pitch, and the feeding of the photosensitive material and the like becomes uneven. And the development unevenness caused by the unevenness of the feeding can be reliably prevented, so that clean development can always be performed. In addition, abrasion occurs on the pressure receiving surface of the stage and paper dust adheres. Further, since the stage, which is one of the pressing means, also serves as a feeding means for feeding the photosensitive material or the like, the number of parts can be greatly reduced.

(F. Embodiment) [FIGS. 1 to 7] Hereinafter, details of the developing device of the present invention will be described in accordance with an illustrated embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the developing device of the present invention is applied to a printer 1 using a long photosensitive film as a photosensitive material.

First, an example of the photosensitive film and the developing paper will be described, and then the printer 1 will be described.

(A. Photosensitive film, color developing paper) [FIGS. 1, 3 to 5
FIG. 2 shows a film cassette (shown only in FIG. 4) in which a long photosensitive film 3 is stored in a rolled state.

The photosensitive film 3 is formed on one side 3a of an appropriate film substrate.
(Hereinafter, referred to as "exposed surface"). A photosensitive dye precursor is applied innumerably, and the dye precursor is irradiated with an exposure-curable, for example, ultraviolet light having a predetermined wavelength. Thus, a dye precursor that combines with a predetermined developing material to form a predetermined color is enclosed in a very small capsule that produces pressure-resistant nondestructive properties.

Reference numerals 4, 4,... Denote developed paper on which an image is printed, which is formed in a substantially rectangular single-sheet shape having a width substantially equal to the width of the photosensitive film 3, and has one surface 4a (hereinafter referred to as a single-sided paper). , "Developing surface") is coated with a developing substance that combines with the dye precursor of the dye precursor to form a predetermined color.

(B. Printer)] [FIGS. 1 to 7] (b.1. Base portion) [FIGS. 2 to 4] Reference numeral 5 denotes a base portion of the printer 1, and a bottom plate 6 and right and left sides of the bottom plate 6 (The left side in FIG. 3 is the right side, the right side is the right side, the lower side in the figure is the front side, the upper side is the rear side, and the upper side in FIG. 2 is the upper side and the lower side is the lower side. In the following description, this direction is used when indicating the direction.) In the vertical direction of the side walls 7, 7 'standing upright from both ends and the front end of the side walls 7, 7' It comprises a shaft-like bar 8 connected substantially between the middle portions and a back plate 9 connected between the rear ends of the side walls 7, 7 '.

The bearings 10, 10 are fixed to the outer side surfaces of the left and right side walls 7, 7 'at a substantially middle position in the front-rear direction of the upper end.

(B-2. Stage Roller, Stage Driving Unit) [FIGS. 1 to 5] Reference numeral 11 denotes a stage roller which sandwiches the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 between a pressure roller described later. The photosensitive film 3 and the color developing paper 4 are pressed against each other, and the photosensitive film 3 and the color developing paper 4 are fed in cooperation with a paper pressing roller described later.

The stage roller 11 has a relatively high hardness having a substantially cylindrical pressure receiving portion 12 slightly longer than the width of the color developing paper 4 and supporting shafts 13, 13 projecting along the axial direction from the centers of both end surfaces of the pressure receiving portion 12. The support shaft 1 is integrally formed of a metal having
The small-diameter tip portions 13a, 13a of 3 and 13 are side walls 7 of the base portion,
It is rotatably supported by the bearings 10, 10 fixed to 7 '.

Accordingly, the stage roller 11 is supported by the upper end of the base portion 2 so as to be rotatable around its axis in a posture extending substantially horizontally along the left-right direction.

A driven gear 14 is fixed to a portion of the two support shafts 13 protruding from the right bearing 10.

The outer peripheral surface 12a of the pressure receiving portion 12 is a pressure receiving surface with which a pressure roller described later is brought into contact, and both ends 12b, 12b of the pressure receiving surface 12a are chamfered in an arc shape.

A driving unit 15 rotates the stage roller 11 at a predetermined timing. The driving unit 15 includes a motor 16 fixed to a portion of the bottom plate 6 on the right side of the right side wall 7 ′.
An output gear 17 fixed to a rotating shaft 16a of 16 and an intermediate gear 18 rotatably supported on the side wall 7 'and the like. The intermediate gear 18 is a driven gear fixed to a support shaft 13 of the stage roller 11. The gear 14 is meshed with the output gear 17.

The motor 16 is, for example, a stepping motor. When the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 are fed, the photosensitive film 3 is rotated clockwise in FIG. The electromagnetic locking is performed while the feeding is not performed.

Thus, while the motor 16 is not rotating, the stage roller 11 is locked by the motor 16 via the driven gear 14, the intermediate gear 18, and the output gear 17, and the rotation of the motor 16 in FIG. Clockwise direction (hereafter,
It is called "paper feed direction". ).

The distance between both end surfaces of the pressure receiving portion 12 of the stage roller 11 and the side walls 7, 7 'of the base portion 5 is slightly larger than the size of the moving block described later in the left-right direction.

(B-3. FOT, film guide plate, etc.) [FIG. 4] 19 is a plateau (hereinafter referred to as a "plateau") formed by bundling a number of optical fibers for exposing a photosensitive film described later in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined image signal. FOT ").
The light-emitting surface 19a is fixed to the base portion 5 with the light-emitting surface 19a facing substantially rearward.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a paper feed guide plate, and reference numeral 21 denotes a paper discharge guide plate. These are provided between the side walls 7, 7 'of the base portion 5 at a position slightly lower than the top of the stage roller 11, and the paper feed guide plate 20 The front end thereof is in a state of being close to the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11 from behind, and the paper discharge guide plate 21 is in a state of its rear end being close to the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11 from the front.

A film guide roller 22 is rotatably installed between the rear ends of the side walls 7, 7 'of the base portion 5.

The film cassette 2 is attached to the rear end of the lower end of the base portion 5 with the axial direction extending along the left-right direction and the film outlet 2a facing upward.

After the photosensitive film 3 is pulled out from the film cassette 2, the photosensitive film 3 is wound around a film guide 22, and extends forward from the film guide 22 along the upper surfaces of the paper feed guide plate 20 and the paper discharge guide plate 21 to be wound. It is configured to be wound on a take-up spool, contacts the light emitting surface 19a of the FOT 19 at a position between the film cassette 2 and the film guide 22, and forms a sheet feed guide plate 20 and a discharge guide plate 21. The portion in between is in contact with the stage roller 11 so that the front and rear ends of the portion are pressed against the stage roller 11 by pressing rollers, which will be described later, so as to be wound around the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11.

(B-4. Movable frame, guide shaft, holding roller) [First
FIG. 5 to FIG. 5] (b-4-a. Movable Frame, Guide Shaft) 23 is a movable frame, and the side walls 7 and 7 ′ of the base portion 5.
It consists of two side plates 24, 24 'which have substantially the same size and are parallel to each other and are separated in the left-right direction, and connecting plates 25, 26, etc. connecting the upper ends of these side plates 24, 24'. Side plate 24, 24 '
The lower end of the rear end is rotatably supported on the upper end of the rear end of the side wall 7, 7 'of the base portion 5 by the support shafts 27, 27.

Incidentally, the side plates 24, 24 'each have a contact pin 24a, 24'a protruding outward from the front edge thereof, and a locked pin 28 protruding inward from a corner portion where the front edge and the lower edge intersect. 28 (only the right one is shown in the drawing). The movable frame 23 is in a state where the contact portions 24a, 24'a are in contact with the upper edges of the side walls 7, 7 'of the base portion 5. With the above locked pin 2
The lock claws 29a, 29a (only those on the right side in the drawing are shown) at both ends of the lock element 29 supported by the crosspiece 8 of the base portion 5 are engaged with the base portion 5 from above. Locked against.

Reference numerals 30 and 30 denote guide shafts each having a columnar shape elongated in the left-right direction. The guide shafts are arranged above the stage roller 11 so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction. Have been.

(B-4-b. Pressing Roller) 31 and 32 are pressing rollers for feeding the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 in cooperation with the stage roller 11, and have substantially the same length as the pressure receiving portion 12 of the stage roller 11. Support arms 33, 3 having both ends rotatably supported by side plates 24, 24 '.
, Rotatably supported by the rotating end of
Are respectively arranged from above in a portion slightly shifted from the top to the front and rear sides, and when the movable frame 23 is locked to the base 5, the support arms 33, 33,.
Are resiliently brought into contact with the pressure receiving portion 12 of the stage roller 11 by the resilient force of the torsion springs 34, 34,.

The torsion springs 34, 34,.
4a,... Are fixed to the side plates 24, 24 ',
A support shaft 35 rotatably supporting the base of 33,.
35, one arm 34b, 34b.
3, 33,... Engage with the upper edge of the other arm 3
4c, 34c,... Are fixed to the side plates 24, 24 '.
6,.., Thereby supporting arms 33, 3
3,... Are biased by the moving force of the rotating end to move downward.

When the stage roller 11 rotates in the paper feed direction, the pressing rollers 31 and 32 elastically contacted with the stage roller rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Since the portion sandwiched by the pressing rollers 31 and 32 is sent to the substantially right side, the running is performed by an amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the stage roller 11. And color paper 4
Since the portion of the stage roller 11 that is wound around the pressure receiving portion 12 moves integrally with the stage roller 11, friction does not occur between the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 and the stage roller 11. .

(B-5. Transfer belt and sensor) [FIGS. 1 to 5] Reference numeral 37 denotes a motor, which is supported by a mounting plate 38 projecting leftward from the left side plate 24 of the movable frame 23, The direction is along the vertical direction, and the drive pulley 39 is
Has been fixed.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a driven pulley, which is rotatably supported by a support shaft 42 fixed to a support plate 41 projecting rightward from a right side plate 24 'of the movable frame 23.

The driving pulley 39 and the driven pulley 40 are
It is arranged at a position slightly higher than 0 and 30.

An endless transfer belt 43 is stretched between the driving pulley 39 and the driven pulley 40.

A carriage of a moving block described later is connected to the transfer belt 43, and the motor 37 rotates clockwise in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as "forward rotation") to move the moving block to the right. When the moving block is moved to the left, it is rotated counterclockwise (hereinafter, referred to as "reverse rotation").

44 and 45 are sensors for detecting that a moving block, which will be described later, has come to an end in the moving range, and includes a pair of light emitting elements 46 and 46 and light receiving elements 47 and 47 facing each other at a predetermined interval. These light-emitting elements 46, 46 and light-receiving elements 47, 47 are facing each other while being separated in the front-back direction,
It is supported by supporting pieces 48, 48 fixed to both left and right ends of the connecting slope 25.

49, 49 'are stoppers fixed to the inner surfaces of the side plates 24, 24'.

(B-6. Moving Block) [FIGS. 1 to 6] Reference numeral 50 denotes a moving block, and a carriage supported on the guide shafts 30, 30 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and rotatably supported by the carriage. And two compression rollers rotatably supported by the roller support arm and a compression spring for constantly urging the roller support arm downward.

(B-6-a. Carriage, Eaves) 51 is a carriage.

52 is a main part of the carriage 51, the main part 52 has a substantially square shape when viewed from above, and has a block shape having a thickness of about half the height of the movable frame 23, and has a top surface Both front and rear end portions are slightly higher than the remaining portion, and two spring arrangement holes 53, 53 penetrating in the height direction are formed at the center in the front and rear direction at intervals in the left and right direction.

54, 54 are the above-mentioned spring arrangement holes 5 in the lower surface of the main part 52.
Arm supporting pieces protruding downward from a position sandwiching 3, 53 from both the front and rear sides, and these arm supporting pieces 54, 54 are arranged in the thickness direction in a substantially intermediate portion of the arm supporting pieces 54, 54 in the left-right direction. That is, the support holes 54 penetrating in the front-rear direction
a and 54a are formed.

Reference numerals 55, 55, and 55 denote through holes penetrating a substantially middle portion in the height direction of the main portion 52 in the left-right direction.
5, 55 extend so as to cross the spring arrangement holes 53, 53.

56, 56 'are rectangular eaves that are long in the left-right direction when viewed from above. These eaves 56, 56' have a half of the eaves in the width direction extending from the upper surface of the main portion 52 of the carriage 51 to the front and rear. It is fixed to the carriage 51 positioned to protrude, and has projections 57, 57 formed on the lower surface thereof,
Further, a light shielding portion 56a projecting upward from the front edge of the eaves piece 56 on the front side is integrally formed.

Are support shafts projecting from two positions spaced apart in the left-right direction on the front and rear surfaces of the main portion 52 of the carriage. These four support shafts 58, 58,. Are rotatably supported, and deep engagement grooves 59a, 59a,... Having a V-shaped cross section on the outer peripheral surface of these guided rollers 59, 59,.・ ・ Is formed.

The carriage 51 has guided rollers 59, 59,.
Are engaged with the guide shafts 30, 30 provided on the movable frame 23 so as to freely roll from below, and the eaves are formed at 56, 56 '. The projections 57, 57 are opposed to the guide shafts 30, 30 at a small interval from above, so that the protrusions 57, 57 are supported on the guide shafts 30, 30 movably in the left-right direction. Fixed connecting piece 60
Are connected to the transfer belt 43.

Therefore, the carriage 51 is moved in the left and right direction by the movement of the transfer belt 43.

In a state where the movable frame 23 is locked with respect to the base portion 5, when a pressure roller described later elastically contacts the stage 11 from above, the carriage 51 is urged upward by a reaction force generated by the elastic contact. .. Are thereby elastically contacted with the guide shafts 30, 30 from below, thereby defining the position of the carriage 51 in the vertical direction.

(B-6-b. Roller Support Arm, Pressure Roller) [FIGS. 1 to 6] Reference numerals 61 and 62 denote roller support arms.

61a, 62a are main parts of the roller support arms 61, 62, and support pieces 61b, 61 opposed to each other in parallel from both front and rear ends.
b, 62b, 62b are protruded downward, and through holes 63, 63,... penetrating these support pieces 61b, 61b, 62b, 62b substantially in the center in the front-rear direction are formed. Also, circular shallow concave portions 64, 64 are formed on the upper surfaces of the main portions 61a, 62a.

In addition, a support portion 65 protruding rightward from substantially the rear half of the right side of the main portion 61a of the left roller support arm 61 is also provided on the front side of the left side of the main portion 62a of the right roller support arm 62. Support portions 65 protruding leftward from substantially half are formed integrally with each other, and insertion holes 65a, 65a penetrating these support portions 65, 65 in the front-rear direction are formed. Further, the tip surfaces 65b, 65b of the support portions 65, 65 are formed as arc surfaces extending in the up-down direction.

Reference numerals 66 and 66 'denote pressure rollers.
6, 66 'is 6 mm of the diameter of the pressure receiving portion 12 of the stage roller 11.
It has a disk shape with a thickness of about one-half, for example, a thickness of about 4 mm, and is formed of a metal having high hardness,
The outer peripheral surfaces 66a and 66'a are formed so that the entire area in the width direction extends parallel to the axis of the pressure rollers 66 and 66 '.

Also, 67, 67 are support pieces 61 of the roller support arms 61, 62.
b, 61b, 62b, 62b, are support shafts press-fitted into insertion holes 63, 63,..., and the pressure rollers 66, 66 'are provided with support pieces 61b, 61b of the roller support arms 61, 62. Between and 62b and 62b
And a support hole formed in the center of the
The support shafts 67, 67 are rotatably inserted through 66b, 66'b.

Therefore, the pressure rollers 66, 66 'are
It is rotatably supported by 62, and a part thereof protrudes downward from the lower ends of the support pieces 61b, 61b, 62b, 62b.

The two roller support arms 61 and 62 have their lower end portions mostly attached to the two arm support pieces 54 and 54 provided on the carriage 51 in a state where the support portions 65 and 65 are overlapped in the front-rear direction. And the support shaft 68 inserted in the support holes 54a, 54a formed in the arm support holes 54, 54 in the insertion holes 65a, 65a formed in the support portions 65, 65 so as to be rotatable. The carriage 51 is inserted, and is rotatably supported by the lower end of the carriage 51.

69, 69 are spring receiving shafts having a substantially cylindrical shape, flanges 69a, 69a are formed at positions near the upper end thereof, and a direction orthogonal to the axial direction at a position slightly lower than the flanges 69a, 69a. Are formed through holes 69b, 69b.

The spring receiving shafts 69 are connected to the main portion 52 of the carriage 51.
Are inserted into the spring arrangement holes 53, 53 formed with a small margin around them, and the insertion holes 69 are formed.
b, 69b are supported by the carriage 51 by inserting support pins 70, which are press-fitted into insertion holes 55, 55, 55 formed in the main portion 52, and are supported by the flanges of the spring receiving shafts 69, 69.
A compression spring 7 is provided between 69a, 69a and recesses 64, 64 formed in the upper end surfaces of the main portions 61a, 62a of the roller support arms 61, 62.
1, 71 are contracted.

Therefore, by the resilient force of the compression springs 71, 71, the left roller support arm 61 is urged to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 5, and the right roller support arm 62 is rotated clockwise. The turning force in the direction will be energized.

Incidentally, stopper portions (not shown) are provided on the surfaces of the main portions 61a and 62a of the roller support arms 61 and 62 facing each other so that the pressing portions 66 and 66 'are not pressed upward. The roller support arm 6 is brought into contact with the above-mentioned opposing surfaces of the main portions 61a and 62a and the stopper portion.
The rotation by the above-mentioned rotation power of 1 and 62 is stopped at a fixed position.

(B-6-c. Pressure Contact and Movement of Pressure Roller to Stage Roller) When the movable frame 23 is locked with respect to the base portion 5, the pressure rollers 66 and 66 ′ are substantially aligned with the axis of the stage roller 11. A position where the moving block 50 is opposed from directly above and abuts a stopper 49 provided on the left side plate 24 of the movable frame 23 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. (Hereinafter referred to as "the position of the other end in the movement range") as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 and also in contact with a stopper 49 'provided on the right side plate 24'. Pressure roller when it comes to
66, 66 ′ are located off the pressure receiving section 12 to the left or right.

Then, in a state where the pressure rollers 66 and 66 ′ are disengaged from the pressure receiving portion 12 of the stage roller 11, the pressure rollers 66 and 66 ′
The lower ends of the outer peripheral surfaces 66a and 66'a of the pressure receiving portion 12
Is located at a slightly lower height than the top.

Therefore, when the moving block 50 is located between the position of one end and the position of the other end in the moving range (hereinafter, referred to as “contact section”), the pressing rollers 66 and 66 ′ The roller support arms 61, 62 ride on the pressure receiving surface 12a of the pressure receiving portion 11 and are relatively upwardly pressed by the stage roller 11 against the elastic force of the compression springs 71, 71.

Thus, when the moving block 50 is located in the contact section, the pressing rollers 66, 66 '
Due to the resilience of 71, the stage roller 11 is pressed against the pressure receiving portion 12 from above.

Then, as described above, when the transfer belt 43 runs, the carriage 51 is moved in the left-right direction, so that the movement block 50 is moved in the left-right direction.
While the roller 50 moves in the contact section, the pressure rollers 66 and 66 ′ roll so as to be in pressure contact with the pressure receiving surface 12 a of the stage roller 11. At the end position, the pressure rollers 66, 66 '
From the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11 to the side.

As described above, the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11
Since both ends 12b, 12b are chamfered in an arc shape, the pressing rollers 66, 66 'are displaced upward so that the chamfered surfaces 12b, 12b
Is guided smoothly and rides on the pressure receiving surface 12a.

When the moving block 50 comes to one end position in the moving range, the light shielding portion 56a of the front eaves piece 56
4 between the light emitting element 46 and the light receiving element 47
6 to block the light emitted toward the light receiving element 47, and when the moving block 50 comes to the position of the other end in the moving range, the light shielding portion 56a is connected to the light emitting element 46 and the light receiving element 47 of the right sensor 45. Between the light emitting element 46 and the light receiving element 47
Is blocked, whereby it is detected that the moving block 50 has arrived at one end position or the other end position in the moving range.

When the print operation is started, the motor 37 alternately and intermittently alternates between forward rotation and reverse rotation, whereby the moving block 50 intermittently moves between both ends in the moving range.

(B-7. Paper Feed Tray, Paper Feed Roller) [FIG. 4] 72 is a paper feed tray in which a large number of the colored papers 4, 4,... Are stored, and 73 is a paper feed roller (these are shown in FIG. 4). When the printing operation is started, the developing papers 4, 4,... Are supplied one by one between the pressing roller 32 and the stage roller 11 at a predetermined timing. It has become.

(B-8. Printing) [FIG. 7] The printing operation by the printer 1 configured as described above is performed, for example, as follows.

(B-8-a. Circuit) [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a circuit for controlling the driving of the paper feed motor 16 and the carriage feed motor 37 of the printer 1.

74L and 74R are mono-multi vibrators, 74L receives the signal from the sensor 44, and 74R outputs a signal from the sensor 45.
And a pulse having a predetermined width is output each time a "1" signal is input from the sensors 44 and 45. The drive time of the paper feed motor 16 is determined by the width of the pulse output from the mono-multi vibrators 74L and 74R. The driving time is determined by the photosensitive film 3
And the time required to feed the color developing paper 4 by a predetermined pitch.

Reference numeral 75 denotes an OR circuit.
The outputs of L and 74R are input, and the output is input to the drive circuit 76 of the paper feed motor 16. The drive circuit 76 drives the paper feed motor 16 while the pulses are being output from the mono-multi vibrators 74L and 74R.

The sensors 44 and 45 output a signal “1” when the light emitting elements 46 and 46 and the light receiving elements 47 and 47 are cut off by the eaves 56 and the light shielding portion 56a supported by the carriage 51, and emit light. When the connection between the elements 46 and 46 and the light receiving elements 47 and 47 is not interrupted, a signal “0” is output.

An OR circuit 77 receives the outputs of the sensors 44 and 45, and the output of the OR circuit 77 is input to a flip-flop 78.

79 is a drive circuit for driving the carriage feed motor 37, the output of the flip-flop 78 is input,
The flip-flop 78 performs normal rotation or reverse rotation depending on the polarity of the output. That is, the flip-flop 78 alternately outputs positive and negative polarities each time the output “1” of the OR circuit 77 is input. A start / stop signal is input to the flip-flop 78, and when a start signal output when the printer 1 enters a printable state is input, the signal is output. When no start signal is input, no output is made.

The output of the OR circuit 75 is also input to the drive circuit 79 of the carriage feed motor 37,
When the "1" signal from 75 is input, the motor 37 is not driven while the signal is being input.

(B-8-b. Operation) When a print operation start command is issued, the moving block 50
Is moved to one end or the other end in the movement range, and the position, that is, the pressure rollers 66, 66 '
The photosensitive film 3 is moved at a constant pitch by the stage roller 11 and the pressing rollers 31 and 32, and the exposed surface 3a is
Exposure is performed for each fixed line by the FOT 19 to form a photographic film of one image.

After or before the formation of the photographic film, at a predetermined timing, one sheet of the developing paper 4 is fed out with the leading end thereof being located at a position slightly earlier than the leading end of the photographic film. And is supplied onto the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11.

When the leading end of the portion of the photosensitive film 3 which has become a printing film reaches the top of the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11, this is detected by a sensor (not shown), a start signal is output, and the motor 37 is turned on. Rotate to move the moving block 50. Therefore, the pressure roller 6
6, 66 'rides on the pressure receiving surface 12a of the stage roller 11,
It rolls in the left-right direction while being pressed against the pressure receiving surface 12a with the developed paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 interposed therebetween, that is, the developed paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 are scanned in the width direction. A predetermined area (hereinafter, referred to as a “pressing area”) extending in the width direction of the photosensitive film 3 and the photosensitive film 3 is pressed against each other by the pressure rollers 66 and 66 ′ and the pressure receiving surface 12 a of the stage roller 11. Become.

When the moving block 50 comes to the position of one end or the other end in the moving range, the pressing rollers 66, 66 '
At the same time, the output of the flip-flop 78 is inverted. However, at the same time, the output of the OR circuit 75 is input to the drive circuit 79, so that the carriage feed motor 37 stops. On the other hand, when there is an output from the sensor 44 or 45, a pulse signal of a predetermined width is output from the monomultivibrator 74 or 74R, and the motor 16 rotates for a time determined by the pulse width to move the stage roller 11 in the paper feeding direction. Rotate it,
The developing paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 are fed, whereby the developing paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 run at a predetermined pitch, that is, a pitch slightly smaller than the width of the pressure contact area. Since there is no input from the OR circuit 75, the motor 37 is rotated. When the moving block 50 reaches the other end or one end of the moving range, there is an output from the sensor 45 or 44. First, the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 are fed at a predetermined pitch, and then the moving block 50 moves again. Is done. Such colored paper 4
The movement of the photosensitive film 3 and the movement of the moving block 50 are performed alternately.

Thus, each time the pressure rollers 66, 66 'scan the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 once in the width direction, the photosensitive film 3
FO in the press-contact area of the portion which was set as the photographic film
The capsule of the dye precursor that has not been exposed by T19 is broken, and the dye precursor is transferred to the developing surface 4a of the color developing paper 4 to form a color, whereby a part of a predetermined image is printed on the color developing paper 4. Thus, one image is formed by repeated printing such as this.
Will appear in

Since the pressure rollers 66 and 66 'are moved so as to scan the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 in the width direction thereof, the pressing force applied to the stage roller 11 is, for example, the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 1,00 for the entire crimping area of
2-3K as pressure of 0 ~ 1,500Kg is required
Only about g strength is needed.

Further, since the developing paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 are sent by rotating the stage roller 11 around which the developing paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 are wound, there is no friction between the developing paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 and the stage roller 11. Therefore, the developing paper 4 and the photosensitive film 3 are always fed at a constant pitch with high precision. Then, color paper 4
In addition, since the feed amount of the photosensitive film 3 is not uneven, the photosensitive film 3 and the developing paper 4 are sequentially moved by the stage roller 11 and the pressure rollers 66 and 66 'in each pressure contact area of a fixed width precisely defined. Pressing is performed, and thereby, development is always performed with a constant pressing force, so that clean development without unevenness in development density is performed.

In this embodiment, since the two pressure rollers 66 and 66 'sequentially press the same portion, the pressing force can be further reduced, and the first pressure completely destroys the pressure. The capsule which has not been used is completely destroyed by the second pressurization, and the density unevenness can be almost completely eliminated. Further, since the pressure applied to a part at a time can be reduced, damage to the photosensitive film and the developed paper can be reduced. That is, it is possible to eliminate such crushing, undulation, and damage to the end portions.

(G. Effect of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, the developing device of the present invention includes a cylindrical pressure receiving portion having an outer peripheral surface serving as a pressure receiving surface, and is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis. A stage roller whose both ends in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral surface are chamfered in an arc shape, a driving unit that rotates the stage roller, and a pressure that rotates in the axial direction of the stage roller while being pressed against the pressure receiving surface of the stage roller. A developing roller by pressing the photosensitive material and the color developing material stacked on each other between the stage roller and the pressing roller, and rotating the stage roller when feeding the photosensitive material and the like. It is characterized by having done.

Therefore, according to the developing device of the present invention, the roller, which is one component of the pressing means for pressing the photosensitive material and the color developing material together, smoothly rides on the stage which is one component of the pressing means, and Since it moves so as to scan against the color developing material, the shape of the pressing means and the pressing force required for the pressing means can be considerably reduced,
As a result, this type of developing device can be made compact, lightweight, low-cost, and easy to assemble and maintain.

When the photosensitive material or the color developing material is fed, the stage roller rotates, so that no friction occurs between the photosensitive material or the color developing material and the stage. It is possible to feed the photosensitive material, etc., so that unevenness does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent development unevenness caused by the unevenness of the feed, and to always perform clean development. It is possible to prevent friction and paper powder from adhering to the surface.

Further, since the stage, which is one of the pressing means, also serves as a feeding means for feeding the photosensitive material or the like, the number of parts can be greatly reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the stage roller is fixed by electromagnetically locking the motor except when a photosensitive material or the like is fed using a stepping motor as a motor for rotating the stage roller. By doing so, it is not necessary to provide a special locking means for locking the stage roller.

However, in practicing the present invention, a means for locking the stage roller may be specially provided, or if a worm gear mechanism is inserted into a transmission system between the motor and the stage roller, The stage roller can be locked more reliably by the worm gear mechanism while the rotation of the stage roller is stopped.

In the above embodiment, two rollers are arranged in the moving direction. However, in this case, the same portion of the photosensitive material or the color developing material can be pressed twice only by moving the roller once. Further, the pressing effect can be further enhanced by the rollers.

However, in practicing the present invention, one pressure roller may be used, or three or more pressure rollers may be arranged in the moving direction.

Further, in the present invention, the moving direction of the roller is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the running direction of the photosensitive material and the color developing material, and may be a direction oblique to the running direction.
In this case, that is, in the case where the roller is moved in a direction oblique to the feeding direction of the photosensitive material and the color developing material, the photosensitive material and the color developing material are separated by setting the scanning direction of the roller to one direction. The photosensitive material or the like can be continuously fed while being pressed against the stage and the roller.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention forms a printing film by exposing a photosensitive film coated with a photosensitive dye precursor, and superposes the printing film on a color developing paper and pressurizes the film. Although the image of the present invention was applied to a printer developed on the developed paper, the present invention is not limited to such an application example, and both the photosensitive dye precursor and the developing substance were provided. Developing paper, that is, a developing device that develops a predetermined image using a photosensitive material developing material integrated developing paper, or
The present invention can be applied to various developing devices such as a developing device for pressure-fixing the toner on copying paper in a copying machine using a photosensitive printing toner or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 7 show an embodiment in which the developing device of the present invention is applied to a pressure printer. FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part shown with a part cut away, and FIG. 3 is a plan view, FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram, FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a conventional pressure type developing device, and FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a prototype of the developing device. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Developing device, 3... Photosensitive material, 4... Developing material, 11... Stage roller, 12... Pressure receiving section, 12 a... Pressure receiving surface, 12 b. Part, 66, 66 '... Pressure roller

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

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A stage roller provided with a cylindrical pressure receiving portion having an outer peripheral surface serving as a pressure receiving surface, rotatably supported in a direction around an axis, and having both ends in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral surface chamfered in an arc shape; A drive unit for rotating the stage roller; and a pressure roller that rolls in the axial direction of the stage roller while being pressed against the pressure receiving surface of the stage roller. A developing device that performs development by applying pressure between a roller and a pressure roller and rotates a stage roller when a photosensitive material or the like is fed.