JP3574225B2 - Image forming solvent heating control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a method for controlling the heating of an image forming solvent in an image recording apparatus that applies an image forming solvent to the image recording material by passing the image recording material through the image recording material.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
The following is known as an image recording device. That is, the photosensitive material (image recording material) is subjected to image exposure, and after the exposure, water (transfer aid) as a solvent for image formation is applied to the photosensitive material in order to improve the heat development transfer efficiency. The photosensitive material coated with water is superimposed on the image receiving material (image recording material) and wound around the outer circumference of the heating drum, so that thermal development transfer is performed.
[0003]
The application unit includes an application plate and a guide plate facing the application plate. The application dish is filled with water, and the photosensitive material passes between the application dish and the guide plate, whereby the image forming solvent is applied to the photosensitive material. The applicator dish is supplied with water from a bottle. The water in the bottle is sucked by a pump, purified through a filter, and the purified water is supplied into the application dish through a water passage formed in the thickness of the guide plate.
[0004]
An application section heater is attached to the guide plate to heat the guide plate. As a result, the water is heated while passing through the water channel, and is also heated in the application dish after leaving the water channel. The guide plate is provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature (applied portion temperature) in the vicinity of the water channel, and the applied portion heater is controlled based on the detected temperature.
[0005]
Next, the application section will be described more specifically according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0006]
When the image recording apparatus start-up power is turned on, the application section heater is activated (step 300), and the guide plate is heated.
[0007]
When the guide plate is heated and the temperature of the application section reaches 40 ° C. (step 302), the drain electromagnetic valve is closed (step 304), and in this state, the water supply pump operates for 120 seconds (sec) (step 306). ). Thus, the coating dish is filled with a predetermined amount of the image forming solvent. If the temperature of the application section is 40 ° C. ± 2 ° C. (step 308), a ready state in which the printing operation (image recording operation) is awaited with the application dish filled with a predetermined amount of the image forming solvent is obtained. .
[0008]
If there is a printing operation (step 310), the exposed photosensitive material passes through the application unit (step 314) as long as the temperature of the application unit is at 40 ° C. ± 2 ° C. (step 312), and water is applied to the photosensitive material. Applied.
[0009]
After the photosensitive material has passed, the water supply pump is operated for 5 seconds (step 316), and the water in the application dish is replenished and maintained at a predetermined amount.
[0010]
Then, it waits for the next printer operation.
If the next print operation is within 20 minutes (min), steps 310, 312, 314, 316 are executed.
[0011]
If there is no next print operation for 20 minutes (step 318), the drain solenoid valve is opened (320) and the application dish is empty. Thereafter, when there is a reset operation (step 322), steps 302, 304, 306, and 308 are executed to return to a state of waiting for a print operation. This is because water is exchanged in order to prevent water contamination and the like caused by water remaining for a long time without passage of the photosensitive material.
[0012]
By the way, when water is applied to the photosensitive material, the appropriate temperature of the water is 40 ° C. ± 2 ° C., whereas the temperature of the water in the bottle is as low as, for example, 10 ° C. After the photosensitive material has passed through, the water reduced by the application is replenished from the bottle. If the temperature of the water to be replenished is such a low temperature, it takes time to return the temperature of the water after the replenishment to an appropriate temperature, and the printing operation is also delayed. In order to reduce the time, a heater having a large output is required, and the heater is increased in size.
[0013]
According to the present invention, after the standby state for the image recording operation, in order to obtain the appropriate temperature of the image forming solvent when applying to the image recording material, it can be achieved in a short time without increasing the size of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling heating of a solvent for image formation.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method for controlling heating of a solvent for image formation according to the present invention according to claim 1,
An image forming material is filled with the image recording material and the image recording material is applied to the image recording material so that the image forming solvent is applied to the image forming material. A guide member that guides the passage, a liquid path formed in the guide member, a supply container for the image forming solvent, and a supply pump that supplies the image forming solvent from the supply container to the application dish via the liquid path of the guide member. A filter for filtering the solvent for image formation before being supplied to the coating dish, a heating means provided on the guide member, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of a portion of the guide member near the liquid passage formation, A drainage unit for draining a solvent from a coating dish to a supply container, and a method for controlling heating of an image forming solvent in an image recording apparatus including:
When the image recording apparatus activation power is turned on, or after the supply container is replaced, or after the filter is replaced, or when a predetermined time has elapsed without an image recording operation, the supply pump is operated for a predetermined time and the supply pump is operated. Controlling the heating means while circulating and supplying the image forming solvent to the coating dish to control the temperature of the image forming solvent to a predetermined temperature, and then to a standby state for image recording operation,
It is characterized by the following.
[0015]
[Action]
According to the above method, in the image recording apparatus, in the coating section, the image recording material passes between the coating plate and the guide member, and during the passage, the image forming solvent in the coating plate is filled with the image recording material. Applied to. For example, when a photosensitive material is exposed, an image forming solvent is applied to the exposed photosensitive material, and after the application, the photosensitive material and the image receiving material are superposed and thermally developed and transferred, and an image on which an image is recorded on the image receiving material. Recording operation is possible.
[0016]
An image forming solvent is supplied to the coating dish from a supply container. The image forming solvent is sent by a supply pump and purified through a filter , and the purified image forming solvent is filled into a coating dish through a liquid path of a guide member.
[0017]
Further, the guide member is heated, and the image forming solvent is heated while passing through the liquid path and coming out of the liquid path and in the coating dish.
[0018]
When the image recording apparatus start-up power is turned on, the supply pump is operated for a predetermined time to supply the image forming solvent from the supply container to the coating plate, and the image forming solvent is drained from the coating plate to the supply container and returned to form the image. The image forming solvent is circulated and supplied, and while performing the circulating supply, the heating unit is controlled to control the temperature of the image forming solvent to a predetermined temperature. While circulating, the temperature of the image forming solvent is heated.
[0019]
Thereafter, the apparatus enters a standby state for the image recording operation, and every time the image recording operation is performed, the image recording material passes through the coating plate and the image forming solvent is applied to the image recording material.
[0020]
In a standby state before the image recording operation, the temperature of the image forming solvent in the supply container is higher than the temperature before the power supply for starting the image recording apparatus is turned on. The image forming solvent is replenished from the supply container in an amount reduced by application to the image recording material. Since the temperature of the image forming solvent in the supply container is raised in advance (because it has been preheated), the replenishment of the image forming solvent in the coating plate is sufficient in a short time to obtain an appropriate temperature for coating. .
[0021]
In a standby state before the image recording operation, even when a configuration is adopted in which all the image forming solvents of the coating plate are replaced for each image recording operation, the temperature of the image forming solvent supplied to the coating plate is raised in advance. Therefore, it takes only a short time to return to an appropriate temperature for application.
[0022]
Note that the temperature of the image forming solvent in the supply container decreases even when a predetermined time has elapsed without replacement of the supply container, replacement of the filter, and image recording operation. Not only at the time of turning on the power of the image recording apparatus, but also at the time of turning on the power of the image recording apparatus after the replacement of the supply container, the replacement of the filter, or when a predetermined time has elapsed without the image recording operation. The control similar to the control at the time of is effective.
[0023]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming solvent heating control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 10 includes a box-shaped machine base 12, and includes a photosensitive material magazine 14 in the machine base 12. In the photosensitive material magazine 14, a photosensitive material 16 is wound and stored in a roll shape. The photosensitive material 16 comprises a support having thereon a photosensitive silver halide, a binder, a dye-providing substance, and a reducing agent. The photosensitive material 16 is wound into the photosensitive material magazine 14 such that the photosensitive (exposure) surface faces upward when the photosensitive material 16 is located at an exposure section 18 described later.
[0025]
The width direction of the photosensitive material 16 is, for example, 135 mm.
Although not shown in detail, the photosensitive material magazine 14 includes a body having a length corresponding to the width dimension of the photosensitive material 16 and a pair of end walls fixed to both ends of the body. It is configured in a shape. The photosensitive material magazine 14 is arranged to be inclined when viewed from the width direction of the photosensitive material so that the peripheral surface is inclined both in the vertical plane and the horizontal plane. The photosensitive material outlet 20 for pulling out the photosensitive material 16 from the photosensitive material magazine 14 is formed at the uppermost corner of the four corners when the photosensitive material magazine 14 is inclined when viewed from the photosensitive material width direction. Is done.
[0026]
In the vicinity of the photosensitive material magazine 14 outside the photosensitive material outlet 20, a nip roller 22 as an extraction roller is disposed. The nip roller 22 is driven to rotate, and the photosensitive material 16 is pulled out a predetermined length obliquely upward through the photosensitive material outlet 20.
[0027]
The speed at which the photosensitive material 16 is pulled out and conveyed by the nip roller 22 is, for example, 35 mm / sec.
[0028]
A cutter 24 is disposed on the photosensitive material drawing direction side of the nip roller 22. The cutter 24 can cut the photosensitive material 16 pulled out by the nip roller 22 into a predetermined length. As the cutter 24, for example, a cutter provided with a fixed blade and a rotary blade, which cuts the photosensitive material 16 by moving the rotary blade perpendicularly to the transport direction by a wire or the like and engaging with the fixed blade is possible. After the cutting operation of the cutter 24, the nip roller 22 rotates in the reverse direction, and the photosensitive material 16 is rewound by the nip roller 22 to such an extent that the tip of the photosensitive material 16 is slightly nipped. The cutting operation of the cutter 24 and the unwinding operation of the photosensitive material by the nip roller 22 are performed independently by a drive system different from the photosensitive material unwinding operation of the nip roller 22.
[0029]
Subsequent to the cutter 24, transport rollers 26 and 28 and a guide plate 30 are arranged, and the transport rollers 26 and 28 are driven to rotate so that the photosensitive material 16 cut to a predetermined length is positioned above the photosensitive material magazine 14. To the exposure unit 18 to be exposed.
[0030]
The speed at which the photosensitive material 16 is transported by the transport rollers 26 and 28 is, for example, 50 mm / sec.
[0031]
The exposure section 18 is located between the transport rollers 32 and 34, and the area between the transport rollers 32 and 34 is defined as an exposure section (exposure point) 18, and the photosensitive material 16 passes horizontally between the transport rollers 32 and 34.
[0032]
The speed at which the photosensitive material 16 is transported by the transport rollers 32 and 34 is, for example, 50 mm / sec.
[0033]
A mounting table 36 for mounting the original G is provided on the upper surface of the machine base 12, and a rectangular hole is formed in the mounting table 36, and a transparent glass plate 38 is fitted into the hole. The mounting table 36 has a rotation axis along the side on the back side of the machine base 12 (the front side of the machine base 12 (that is, the front side of the image recording apparatus 10 is indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 5)). A holding cover 40 that can be opened and closed on the transparent glass plate 38 is attached. An exposure device 42 is provided between the transparent glass plate 38 and the exposure unit 18. The exposure device 42 includes a lamp unit 44, a mirror unit 46, a filter unit 48, a mirror unit 50, and a sixth reflection mirror 52 in order toward the exposure unit 18. The lamp unit 44 includes a rod-shaped halogen lamp 54 and a first mirror 56 as light sources, the mirror unit 46 includes a second mirror 58 and a third mirror 60, and the mirror unit 50 includes a fourth mirror 62 and a fifth mirror. 64. The filter unit 48 includes three (C, M, and Y) color adjustment filters 66, a lens 68, and an aperture mechanism 70, and is provided between the third mirror 60 of the mirror unit 46 and the fourth mirror 62 of the mirror unit 50. Are located in
[0034]
Exposure is performed as follows. That is, when the lamp unit 44 and the mirror unit 60 move along the document G, and the photosensitive material 16 passes through the exposure unit 18 in a timely manner, light is transmitted from the halogen lamp 54 to the document G on the mounting table 36. The first mirror 56 of the lamp unit 44, the second mirror 58 and the third mirror 60 of the mirror unit 46, the filter unit 48, the fourth mirror 62 of the mirror unit 50, and the Scanning exposure is performed on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material 16 through an optical path sequentially formed by the fifth mirror 64 and the sixth mirror 52.
[0035]
When the exposure is performed with the magnification changed from the same magnification, the filter unit 48 and the mirror unit 50 move according to the magnification.
[0036]
Further, the filter unit 48 performs image formation and color correction of the reflected light from the original G (the third mirror of the mirror unit).
[0037]
A switchback unit 72 is connected to the exposure unit 18. The photosensitive material 16 that has been scanned and passed through the exposure unit 18 is once sent to the switchback unit 72. After the completion of the scanning exposure, the transport rollers 32 and 34 are reversed, and the photosensitive material 16 passes through the exposure unit 18 again. A switching point 74 is provided below the transport rollers 32 and 34, and the switching operation of the switching point 74 causes the photosensitive material 16 to be sent to the coating unit 76 without returning to the photosensitive material magazine 14 side.
[0038]
The application unit 76 is located between the exposure unit 18 and the photosensitive material magazine 14 and includes an application plate 78. The coating tray 78 is filled with water as a solvent for image formation. A guide plate 80 is attached above the application tray 78. A supply roller 82 is provided on the upstream side of the coating section 76 in the photosensitive material transport direction, and a pair of quiz rollers 84 are disposed on the downstream side of the photosensitive material transport direction. The photosensitive material 16 is fed into the coating plate 78 by the supply roller 82 and passes between the guide plate 80 and the coating plate 78. During this passage, water is applied to the photosensitive material 16. The photosensitive material 16 to which water has been applied is nipped and conveyed by a squeeze roller 84, and excess water is removed from the applied water and discharged to the outside of the application tray 78. According to the image forming solvent, the thermal development transfer efficiency is improved in the subsequent thermal development transfer.
[0039]
On the other hand, a receiving material magazine 88 is arranged next to the photosensitive material magazine 14. In the receiving material magazine 88, an image receiving material 90 is wound and stored in a roll shape. The width dimension of the image receiving material 90 is smaller than the photosensitive material 16 (for example, 127 mm). A dye fixing material having a mordant is applied to the image forming surface of the image receiving material 90. The image receiving material 90 is wound into the material receiving magazine 88 such that the image forming surface is a surface facing the photosensitive material 16 side when the photosensitive material 16 is overlapped with the photosensitive material 16 described later.
[0040]
Similarly to the light-sensitive material magazine 14, the receiving material magazine 88 is also formed in a quadrangular rectangular tube shape, is inclined obliquely when viewed from the width direction of the image receiving material 90, and has an image receiving material outlet 92 at the uppermost corner. Prepare. As in the case of the photosensitive material 16, the image receiving material 90 is drawn through the image receiving material outlet 92 by a predetermined length by the nip roller 94 and cut by the cutter 96. However, the cut length of the image receiving material 90 is shorter than the cut length of the photosensitive material 16.
[0041]
Subsequent to the cutter 96, transport rollers 98, 100 and a guide plate 102 are arranged, and the transport rollers 98, 100 are driven to rotate, so that the image receiving material 90 cut to a predetermined length is positioned above the material receiving magazine 88. Is transferred to the thermal development transfer unit 104.
[0042]
The thermal development transfer unit 104 includes a heating drum 106 and an endless pressure contact belt 108, and also includes a bonding roller 110.
[0043]
The heating drum 106 includes a halogen lamp 108 therein. The halogen lamp 108 heats the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 106.
[0044]
The heating drum 106 is a thin aluminum pipe, the outer peripheral surface is coated with fluorine, the inner peripheral surface is black heat-resistant painted, the thickness is 3 mm, the outer diameter is 130 mm, and the effective width in the axial direction is 158 mm. Some things are possible.
[0045]
The endless pressure contact belt 108 extends in a substantially half-circumferential region (approximately a half region on the upper side) of the heating drum 106, and is formed on the outer periphery of the heating drum 106 so as to be in pressure contact with the heating drum 106 in a substantially half-circumferential region. It is wound in an inscribed state around four winding rollers 112 arranged at predetermined intervals. The winding roller 112 is driven to rotate and the endless pressure contact belt 108 travels, whereby the rotation is transmitted to the heating drum 106 pressed by the endless pressure contact belt 108.
[0046]
The peripheral speed of the heating drum 106 can be, for example, 35 mm / sec. The endless pressure contact belt 108 can be formed by covering a woven fabric material with rubber, and have a width dimension of 224 mm. Further, a rubber roller can be used as the winding roller 112.
[0047]
The winding roller 112 can be made of stainless steel. The bonding roller 110 is positioned corresponding to the coating unit 76, is pressed against the outer periphery of the heating drum 106, and is driven to rotate.
[0048]
The photosensitive material 16 discharged from the coating plate 78 is sent between the bonding roller 110 and the heating drum 106, and the image receiving material 90 is sent between the heating drum 106 and the photosensitive material 16. As the endless pressure contact belt 108 travels, the heating drum 106 follows the rotation (in the direction of arrow A), and the rotation of the bonding roller 112, the photosensitive material 16 is set to the outside and the image receiving material 90 is set to the inside. The heating drum 106 is sequentially superimposed and wound around the outer periphery of the heating drum 106. That is, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are conveyed while being sandwiched between the heating drum 106 and the endless pressure contact belt 108, and the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are brought into close contact with each other and the image receiving material 90 is heated. The drum 106 is in close contact with the outer periphery. In a state where all the portions of the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are wound around the heating drum 106, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are spread over the extended area of the endless pressure contact belt 108 (over substantially half the circumference of the heating drum). T) located. In this state, the heating drum 106 stops, and in the stopped state, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are heated. Thereby, the movable dye of the photosensitive material 16 is released, and at the same time, the dye is transferred to the dye fixing layer of the image receiving material 90, and an image is obtained on the image receiving material 90. That is, thermal development transfer is performed.
[0049]
When the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are fed between the laminating roller 110 and the heating drum 106, the image receiving material 90 is moved between the heating drum 106 and the photosensitive material 16 at a timing where the photosensitive material 16 is advanced by a predetermined length. Sent in. As described above, the width of the image receiving material 90 and the length in the longitudinal direction thereof are smaller than those of the photosensitive material 16, and the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are superposed around the photosensitive material 16. The portion is in a state of protruding from the peripheral portion of the image receiving material 90 on all four sides. The protruding peripheral portion of the photosensitive material 16 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the heating drum 106.
[0050]
Note that the conveying speed of the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 by the squeeze roller 84 and the conveying roller 100 is slightly (for example, about 2%) slower than the conveying speed of the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 by the bonding roller 110. It is set as follows. Thus, the back tension acts on the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 when the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are sent to the laminating roller 110.
[0051]
A guide roller 124 is provided on the heating drum rotation direction side of the endless pressure contact belt 108, and the guide roller 124 is pressed against the outer periphery of the heating drum 106 and is driven to rotate. The photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are nipped and conveyed between the heating drum 106 and the guide roller 124 with the rotation of the heating drum 106 after the heat development transfer.
[0052]
The guide roller 124 can be a rubber roller made of silicon rubber. A photosensitive material peeling claw 126 is provided on the guide roller 124 on the heating drum rotation direction side. The light-sensitive material peeling claw 126 has a claw shaft 128 parallel to the axial direction of the heating drum 106, and rotates around the axis of the claw shaft 128 so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106.
[0053]
Before the preceding leading end of the photosensitive material 16 that moves with the rotation of the heating drum 106 reaches a position corresponding to the photosensitive material peeling claw 126, the photosensitive material peeling claw 126 contacts the outer periphery of the heating drum 106, and The peeling claw 126 is engaged with the preceding leading end of the photosensitive material 16, and the preceding portion is peeled from the heating drum 106. Before the image receiving material 90 reaches the photosensitive material peeling claw 126, the photosensitive material peeling claw 126 is separated from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106. The photosensitive material 16 is peeled from the image receiving material 90, and the image receiving material 90 moving with the rotation of the heating drum 106 can pass between the photosensitive material peeling claw 126 and the outer periphery of the heating drum 106.
[0054]
When the photosensitive material peeling claw 126 separates from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106, the photosensitive material 16 is sandwiched between the guide roller 124 and the pinch roller 136, and the photosensitive material 16 is bent around the guide roller 124 to form an image receiving material. The sheet is transported so as to positively separate from the sheet 90.
[0055]
Following the guide roller 124 and the pinch roller 136, a guide plate 142, a photosensitive material discharge roller 144, a backup roller 146, and a guide roller 148 are arranged. The photosensitive material discharge roller 144 is a pair of so-called corrugation rollers that mesh with each other, and the backup roller 146 is in contact with one photosensitive material discharge roller 144. The photosensitive material discharge roller 144 is driven to rotate, and the peeled photosensitive material 16 is accumulated in the waste photosensitive material storage box 150.
[0056]
Note that the rotational peripheral speed of the photosensitive material discharge roller 144 is set to be 1 to 3% faster than the rotational peripheral speed of the heating drum 106, whereby the photosensitive material 16 is loosened and adhered to the guide plate 142. Is prevented.
[0057]
A peeling roller 152 and a receiving material peeling claw 154 are sequentially arranged on the heating drum rotation direction side of the photosensitive material peeling claw 126. The peeling roller 152 is pressed against the outer periphery of the heating drum 106 and is driven to rotate. A comb-shaped roller 151 is provided between the photosensitive material peeling claw 126 and the peeling roller 152 so as to face the outer periphery of the heating drum 106.
[0058]
The peeling roller 152 is a rubber roller made of silicon rubber.
The receiving material peeling claw 154 includes a claw shaft 156 parallel to the axis of the heating drum 106, and is rotatable around the axis of the claw shaft 156 so as to be able to contact and separate from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106. Before the image receiving material 90 that moves according to the rotation of the heating drum 106 reaches the position corresponding to the receiving material peeling claw 154, the receiving material peeling claw 154 contacts the outer periphery of the heating drum 106, and the receiving material peeling claw 154 is moved. The image receiving material 90 is separated from the heating drum 106 by engaging with the leading end of the image receiving material 90. The image receiving material 90 is conveyed while being bent around the peeling roller 152.
[0059]
After the peeling roller 152 and the peeling claw 154, guide plates 164 and 166, receiving material discharge rollers 167, 168 and 170, and guide rollers 172 and 174 are arranged. The image receiving material 90 peeled from the outer periphery is guided and conveyed. The receiving material discharge rollers 167, 168, and 170 are driven to rotate, and the image receiving material 90 peeled from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106 is discharged to the tray 176.
[0060]
The winding roller 112, the laminating roller 110, the photosensitive material discharging roller 144, the guide roller 124, the peeling roller 152, the squeeze roller 84, and the receiving material discharging rollers 167, 168, and 170 share a common drum motor (not shown). ).
[0061]
The timing at which the photosensitive material peeling claw 126 contacts and separates from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106 and the timing at which the receiving material peeling claw 154 contacts and separates from the outer periphery of the heating drum 106 are determined by, for example, This is made possible by a cam mechanism using a cam portion 114 provided to rotate integrally.
[0062]
Here, the application section (image forming solvent application section) 76 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 3, a rail 200 is provided below the application tray 78. The rail 200 extends along the width direction of the photosensitive material 16 from the accommodating portion 202 accommodating the coating plate 78 toward the front side of the machine base 12, and is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction. A pair of rails 200 are provided apart from each other, and a pair of guide projections 204 are provided on the lower surface of the bottom of the application plate 78 corresponding to each rail. The guide projection 204 fits into the recess of the rail 200 and is guided so as to slide along the longitudinal direction of the rail 200, whereby the application plate 78 can be detachably attached to the accommodation portion 202. By opening the front door 206 (shown in FIG. 8) on the front side of the machine base 12, the coating plate 78 can be removed and mounted. The application tray 78 is provided with a grip 79 on the detaching side for attaching and detaching operations.
[0063]
The top surface of the bottom of the coating plate 78 is formed in an arc shape having a low center when viewed along the photosensitive material transport direction (the direction of arrow C), and the bottom top surface of the coating plate 78 formed in the arc shape is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of rows of ribs 77 are formed. The rib 77 is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the photosensitive material 16. Thereby, the frictional resistance when the photosensitive material 16 passes is reduced, and it is possible to prevent a predetermined position of the photosensitive material 16 from being damaged.
[0064]
The guide plate 80 is attached to a pair of support plates 208 and 210 facing each other in the width direction of the photosensitive material 16 so as to be sandwiched therebetween. The guide plate 80 and the support plates 208 and 210 constitute a guide member. The lower edges of the support plates 208 and 210 and the bottom surface of the guide plate 80 are formed in an arc shape corresponding to the bottom upper surface of the coating plate 78.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 2, the central portion of the guide plate 80 in the photosensitive material transport direction is thickened, and two parallel hollow passages between the support plates 208 and 210 are provided in the thickened thickness. (Liquid channel) 212 is formed. The two hollow paths 212 each have one end (the end on the front side of the machine base 12) communicated with the mouth portions 214 and 216, respectively, and the other end (the end on the back side of the machine base 12) communicates with each other. A U-shaped fluid path is formed from the mouth 214 to the other mouth 216. One of the mouths 214 is L-shaped and is opened upward, and the other mouth 216 is opened in the same direction, so that it can communicate with the inside of the application tray 78.
[0066]
Roller shafts 228 of the supply rollers 82 pass through ends of the support plates 208 and 210 on the upstream side in the photosensitive material transport direction. The roller shaft 228 is supported on the machine base 12 side. Thus, the guide member is rotatable around the roller shaft 228, and the guide plate 80 is moved close to and away from the upper surface of the bottom of the application plate 78. The squeeze roller 84 is supported around the upstream ends of the support plates 208 and 210 in the photosensitive material transport direction, and is axially supported.
[0067]
When the guide plate 80 is in proximity to the coating plate 78, a gap through which the photosensitive material 16 passes is formed between the guide plate 80 and the coating plate 78.
[0068]
In a state in which the guide plate 80 rotated in the direction of the arrow E shown in FIG. 4 from the close state and the coating plate 78, the entire guide member including the guide plate 80 is separated from the coating plate 78, and the coating plate 78 is attached and detached. Operation becomes possible.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 2, a water supply pump (supply pump) 230 and a water filter (filter) 232 are provided above the application unit 76, and a bottle (supply container) 234 is provided below the application unit 76. Provided. The inlet 236 of the water supply pump 230 is connected to the inside of the bottle 234, the outlet 238 of the water supply pump 230 is connected to the filter 232, and the filter 232 is connected to the socket 226 of the guide member. The water in the bottle 234 is drawn by the water supply pump 230. The sucked water is purified through the water filter 232, and the purified water is supplied through the hollow path 212 of the guide plate 80 into a U-shape through the mouth 216 into the application plate 78. In FIG. 2, the water system is indicated by a dotted line for both the water supply system and the drainage system. 3 and 4, the direction in which the water flows is indicated by an arrow D. The water supply pump 230 is driven by a stepping motor (motor) 231.
[0070]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, one end of a second drainage port (second drainage port) 238 is provided in a roller groove 236 into which the lower roller of the squeeze roller 84 enters. Is formed, and one end of a first drainage port (first drainage port) 242 is connected to an overflow groove 240 around the application tray 78.
[0071]
The other ends of the two drain ports 238 and 242 are disposed apart from each other in the photosensitive material conveyance direction, and are opened toward the mounting direction of the coating plate 78 (the back side of the machine base 12 and the side opposite to the arrow B). I have. A receiving case (receiving member) 244 is provided on the storage section 202 side corresponding to both the drain ports 238 and 242. The receiving case 244 has a rectangular box shape elongated in the photosensitive material transport direction, and has a first receiving port 248 corresponding to the first drain port 242 and a second receiving port corresponding to the second drain port 238. A mouth 246. The two receiving ports 246 and 248 are opened while the two drain ports 238 and 242 protrude toward the removing direction of the application tray 78.
[0072]
When the application tray 78 moves from the removal position to the mounting position in the direction opposite to the arrow B, the first drain port 242 and the second drain port 238 are moved into the first port 248 and the second port 246. Each is inserted and connected. When the application plate 78 moves from the mounting position to the removal position in the direction of arrow B, the first drain port 242 and the second drain port 238 are pulled out of the first receiving port 248 and the second receiving port 246, respectively. Connection is released.
[0073]
As shown in FIG. 2, two drainage paths, a first drainage path (drainage means) 250 and a second drainage path (drainage means) 252, are formed in the receiving case 244. One end of the drainage path 250 is connected to the first port 248 , the other end of the second drainage path 252 is connected to the second port 246, and the two drainage paths 250 and 252 join at the other end. A junction 254 is formed there. The junction 254 is opened downward, and is located immediately above the bottle opening 256 of the bottle 234. A drainage electromagnetic valve (drainage valve) 258 is provided in the middle of the second drainage path 252. For example, when the drainage electromagnetic valve 258 is on, the second drainage path 252 is opened and the drainage electromagnetic valve 258 is turned off. At this time, the second drain passage 252 is shut off.
[0074]
With respect to the water supplied into the application tray 78, excess water is overflowed into the overflow groove 240 so as to maintain a constant filling amount of water in the application tray 78, and the overflowed water is discharged to the first drain. The mouth 242 returns to the bottle 234 via the first drainage path 250. In addition, by opening the electromagnetic valve 258, the water in the application plate 78 can be forcibly drained to empty the application plate 78. The water that is forcibly drained returns from the second drain port 238 to the bottle 234 via the second drain path 252.
[0075]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a heater 260 such as a ceramic heater is mounted on the upper surface of the thickened portion of the guide plate 80. A pair of heaters 260 are provided so as to face each other while being spaced apart in the width direction of the photosensitive material, and a temperature detection sensor 262 is attached between the heaters 260. The heater 260 can heat the guide plate 80 to heat the water passing through the hollow path 212 and also heat the water in the application dish 78. The temperature detection sensor 262 detects the temperature (applied portion temperature) of the guide plate 80 at the portion near the hollow passage 212 (the portion near the liquid passage). The heater 260 is controlled based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor (temperature detection means) 262, and can control the temperature of the water in the application dish 78 (for example, 40 ° C. ± 2 ° C.).
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 2, a water presence / absence sensor 298 is provided in the application tray 78. The water presence / absence sensor 298 can detect whether or not the application tray 78 is filled with a predetermined amount of water (the amount of water required for application) (there is water) (whether there is no water).
[0077]
Next, the coating units 78 and 80 will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the starting power supply of the image recording apparatus 10 is turned on, the application section heater 260 operates (Step 400), and the guide plate 80 is heated.
[0079]
When the image recording apparatus 10 is started up, when the guide plate 80 is heated and the temperature of the application section reaches 40 ° C. (step 402), the water supply pump 230 is turned on (step 404). The effect of raising the temperature of water by circulating supply, which will be described later, is provided.
[0080]
Next, the drainage electromagnetic valve 258 is closed 12 seconds (sec) after the operation of the water supply pump 230 (step 406). At the beginning of the operation of the water supply pump 230, the water is immediately returned to the bottle 234 so that water does not remain in the application tray 78 so that dirt does not remain in the application tray 78 due to replacement of the filter 232 or the like.
[0081]
Next, after the drainage electromagnetic valve 258 is closed, it is determined whether or not there is water based on the water presence / absence sensor 298 during the operation of the water supply pump 230 for 18 seconds (step 408). 18 seconds is enough time to supply a predetermined amount of water to the application units 78 and 80.
[0082]
When the water presence / absence sensor 298 detects the presence of water, the water supply pump 230 stops 108 seconds after the drain electromagnetic valve 258 is closed (step 410). In a state where the drainage electromagnetic valve 258 is closed, the operation of the water supply pump 230 causes an overflow in the application tray 78, the water returns to the bottle 234, and the water is circulated and supplied. The temperature of the water is increased by the circulating supply of water, for example, 10 ° C. water is heated to 27 ° C. By closing the drainage electromagnetic valve 258, water remains in the coating dish 78 by a predetermined amount, which is preferable in terms of the temperature raising effect.
[0083]
Next, the drain electromagnetic valve 258 is opened (step 412). Thereby, the water in the application dish 78 is drained to the bottle 234, and the interior of the application dish 78 becomes empty. That is, a state of waiting for a print operation is obtained. The water waits in the bottle 234 while being heated.
[0084]
When the water presence / absence sensor 298 detects the absence of water, an alarm is displayed (step 414). As a result, abnormalities in the water supply system and the drainage system between the bottle 234 and the coating units 78 and 80, for example, improper connection of the pipes and the setting of the filter 232, and failure of the drainage electromagnetic valve 258 and the supply pump 230 are caused. The anomalies that have occurred are apparent. Therefore, it can be dealt with promptly.
[0085]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, if there is a print operation (image recording operation) (step 416), the drain electromagnetic valve 258 is closed (step 418) and the drain electromagnetic valve 258 is closed for each print operation. In this state, the supply pump 230 is operated (Step 420). While the supply pump 230 is operating for 18 seconds, it is determined whether or not there is water based on the water presence / absence sensor 298 (step 422).
[0086]
When the water presence sensor 298 detects the presence of water, the following steps are executed. That is, in step 424, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the application unit is 40 ° C. ± 2 ° C. The photosensitive material 16 is pulled out of the photosensitive material magazine 14 by a printing operation, is conveyed, is exposed by the exposure unit 18, and reaches a position short of the coating unit 76. In about 20 seconds from the start of the printing operation, the photosensitive material 16 reaches just before the coating unit 76. Since the water presence / absence sensor 298 detects the presence of water when 18 seconds have elapsed after the operation of the water supply pump 230, the photosensitive material 16 reaches the position just before the coating unit 76 when the water presence / absence sensor 298 detects the presence of water. If it is faster than the time of detection, the operation waits. Even if the water presence sensor 298 detects the presence of water, if the temperature of the application section is not at the predetermined temperature, the photosensitive material 16 waits before the application sections 78 and 80 (step 426), and the temperature of the application section reaches the predetermined temperature. If there is, the photosensitive material 16 passes through the coating sections 78 and 80 (step 428).
[0087]
Next, it is determined whether or not the printing operation is continuous printing (step 430). When the printing operation is continuous printing, that is, when a plurality of photosensitive materials continuously pass through the coating units 78 and 80 by one printing operation, one photosensitive material 16 passes through the coating units 78 and 80. Then, the water supply pump 230 is operated for 5 seconds (step 431). Thus, the water in the application tray 78 is replenished and maintained at a predetermined amount. Thereafter, steps 422, 424, 428, and 430 are executed for the next photosensitive material 16.
[0088]
In the case of continuous printing, if the last photosensitive material 16 has passed through the coating sections 78 and 80 and there is no subsequent printing, the drain electromagnetic valve 258 is opened (step 436), and the water in the coating section 78 is drained. The liquid is discharged to the bottle 234 and returns to a state where there is no water in the application section 78.
[0089]
Then, it waits for the next print operation.
When the water presence / absence sensor 298 detects that there is no water, the photosensitive material 16 waits before the coating units 78 and 80 (step 432), and then an alarm is displayed as in the case of starting the image recording apparatus 10. (Step 434). The alarm display clarifies the abnormality of the water supply system and the drainage system between the bottle 234 and the application units 78 and 80, and can promptly deal with the abnormality as in the case of starting the image recording apparatus 10. Is similar.
[0090]
According to the above configuration, in the image recording apparatus, the photosensitive material 16 is exposed in the coating units 78 and 80, and the exposed photosensitive material 16 passes between the coating plate 78 and the guide plate 80, and In the meantime, the image forming solvent is applied to the photosensitive material 16. After the application, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 90 are superposed and thermally developed and transferred, an image is recorded on the image receiving material 90, and a printing operation is performed.
[0091]
Water is supplied to the application tray 78 from the bottle 234. The water is sent by the water supply pump 230 and is purified through the filter 232. The purified water is filled into the application plate 78 through the hollow passage 212 of the guide plate 80.
[0092]
Further, when the guide plate 80 is heated and the water passes through the hollow path 212, the water exits from the hollow path 212 and is heated in the coating plate 78.
[0093]
When the image recording apparatus start-up power is turned on, the water supply pump 230 is operated for a predetermined period of time to supply water from the bottle 234 to the coating plate 78, drain the water from the coating plate 78 to the bottle 234, return, and circulate the water. While this circulating supply is being performed, the heater 260 is controlled, and the temperature of the water is controlled to a predetermined temperature. While being circulated, the temperature of the water is heated.
[0094]
Thereafter, the apparatus enters a standby state for a printing operation. Whenever a printing operation is performed, the photosensitive material 16 passes through the coating plate 78 and water is applied to the photosensitive material 16.
[0095]
In a standby state before the printing operation, the temperature of the water in the bottle 234 is higher than the temperature before the power supply for starting the image recording apparatus is turned on.
Even in the case where the water in the coating plate 78 is replaced every time the printing operation is performed in a standby state for the printing operation, the supplied water in the coating plate 78 is sufficient in a short time to obtain an appropriate temperature for coating. .
[0096]
Fresh water can always be applied to the photosensitive material 16 by replacing the water filled in the application tray 78 with each printing operation.
[0097]
In step 431, the water is replenished from the bottle 234 for the amount reduced by the application to the photosensitive material 16. Since the temperature of the water in the bottle 234 has been increased, the water in the replenished coating plate 78 The water is short enough to return to the proper temperature for application.
[0098]
It should be noted that the temperature of the water in the bottle 234 decreases even if the predetermined time has elapsed without the replacement of the bottle 234, the replacement of the filter 232, and the printing operation. Not only at the time of turning on the power of the image recording apparatus, but also at the time of turning on the power of the image recording apparatus after the replacement of the bottle 234, the replacement of the filter 232, or the lapse of a predetermined time without a printing operation. It is effective to perform control similar to the control at the time of (1).
[0099]
The replacement of the filter 232 and the replacement of the bottle 234 are performed by opening the front door 206. By detecting the state in which the front door 206 is closed, it is possible to detect after the replacement of the filter 232 and after the replacement of the bottle 234, and it is possible to execute Steps 400, 402,. is there.
[0100]
It should be noted that the numerical values of the above-described embodiment, for example, the operation time of the water supply pump 230 and the temperature of the application section are not limited to the numerical values of the embodiment.
[0101]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming solvent heating control method of the present invention, after the standby state for the image recording operation, it is necessary to obtain an appropriate temperature of the image forming solvent when applying to the image recording material. This can be achieved in a short time without increasing the size of the device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image recording apparatus to which an embodiment of an image forming solvent heating control method of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a water supply system and a drainage system of an application unit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a coating unit.
FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the operation of attaching and detaching the plate member.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the image recording apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to a coating unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to a coating unit.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to a conventional coating unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
16 Photosensitive materials (image recording materials)
76 coating section 78 coating dish 80 guide plate (guide member)
90 Image receiving material (image recording material)
212 Hollow path (liquid path)
230 Water supply pump (supply pump)
232 filter 234 bottle (supply container)
250 First drainage route (drainage means)
252 Second drainage route (drainage means)
260 heater (heating means)
262 Temperature detection sensor (temperature detection means)

Claims (1)

An image forming material is filled with the image recording material, and the image recording material is passed through the image recording material to apply the image forming solvent to the image forming material. A guide member that guides the passage, a liquid path formed in the guide member, a supply container for the image forming solvent, and a supply pump that supplies the image forming solvent from the supply container to the application dish through the liquid path of the guide member. A filter for filtering the image forming solvent before being supplied to the coating dish, a heating means provided on the guide member, a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a portion of the guide member near the liquid passage formation, A drainage unit for draining a solvent from a coating dish to a supply container, and a method of controlling heating of an image forming solvent in an image recording apparatus including:
When the image recording apparatus start-up power is turned on, or after the supply container is replaced, or after the filter is replaced, or when a predetermined time has elapsed without image recording operation, the supply pump is operated for a predetermined time and the supply pump is operated. Controlling the heating means while circulating and supplying the image forming solvent to the coating dish , controlling the temperature of the image forming solvent in the coating dish to a predetermined temperature, and bringing the apparatus into a standby state for image recording operation;
A method for controlling heating of an image forming solvent.

Images