JPH0299944A - Automatic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the contact distance between processing liquid for fast processing and a film and to miniaturize the size of the device by applying ultrasonic wave vibrations to a film being processed by a specific method in one processing stage of automatic development. CONSTITUTION:The automatic developing device sends an exposed film 12 to a developing, a fixing, and a washing stage in order to perform development processing continuously. For at least one processing stage, an ultrasonic wave generating means 10 is provided which applies ultrasonic wave vibrations to the film 12 being processed, the film 12 is arranged in a sound field closer than the position where the output sound pressure of an ultrasonic wave generating means 10 becomes maximum, and the film surface is not orthogonal to the direction where the directivity of the ultrasonic wave generating means 10 becomes maximum. Consequently, the gap between the ultrasonic wave generating means 10 and film 12 is made small to reduce the size of a processing tank and an irregularity in the processing of the film 12 is not generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an automatic developing device that continuously sends photographed film to developing, fixing, and washing steps and performs developing processing.

(Technical Background of the Invention) Conventionally, roller conveyance systems, loop conveyance systems, and horizontal conveyance systems are known as methods for continuously developing films. The roller conveyance method uses a large number of rollers to convey the liquid through a vertically deep processing liquid tank, but has the problem that the processing liquid tank is deep and the apparatus becomes large. The loop transport method transports the film by passing it between rollers placed above and below the processing liquid tank, but it has the same problems as the roller transport method. In addition, in the horizontal transport method, development is performed by spraying a processing liquid onto the film that is transported horizontally, but in order to perform high-speed processing, the distance that the processing liquid and film come into contact with, that is, the horizontal path, becomes longer. ,
There was a problem that the device became larger.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic developing device that is suitable for high-speed processing and miniaturization, and is capable of stable processing.

(Structure of the Invention) According to the present invention, this object is achieved by providing an automatic developing device that sequentially sends photographed film to each process of developing, fixing, and washing with water, and processes the photographed film continuously. The film is provided with ultrasonic generation means for applying ultrasonic vibration to the film therein, and the film is placed in a sound field closer to the farthest position where the output sound pressure of the ultrasonic generation means is maximum, and the film surface is This is achieved by an automatic developing device characterized in that the directivity of the ultrasonic wave generating means is not perpendicular to the direction in which the maximum directivity occurs.

That is, the present invention is based on the premise of increasing the processing speed using ultrasonic waves, and eliminates the influence of uneven sound pressure by irradiating the film with ultrasonic waves obliquely.

Here, the output direction of the ultrasonic waves may be set obliquely toward the film feeding direction. The present invention also provides development,
It can be applied to both fixing and washing steps.

(principle) A detailed explanation of the present invention is provided here.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the ultrasonic transducer 10 and the coordinate system in the central axis X direction where the directivity of its output is maximum, Fig. 6 is a sound pressure distribution characteristic diagram on this It is a figure which shows the example of actual measurement of pressure distribution.

If the denomination mover 10 is circular with a diameter of 2a, and this is regarded as a circular piston sound source, the formula for the sound pressure P at the point χ is as follows.

P=2Posin (k/2 (f"1157- x
) )Xexp j(ωt +π/2− to/2 (F
? T5 completion)+χ)...(1) The absolute value IP+ is given by the following equation.

PI = 2P01sin(k/2(F1TIτ-χ)
)1...(2) However; ω=2πf, fλ=c.

f: frequency :2π/λ λ: wavelength C: Speed of sound It is.

From equation (2), the coordinate χ where the absolute value of the sound pressure is the minimum.

is k/2(LPTj7-X) =nπ; (n=1
．． 2. -1...(3) holds, so χ. = (a”/λ” −n”)/ (2n/e)...
・(4) The χ coordinate χ1 at which the absolute value of the sound pressure is maximum can be similarly determined using the following formula.

x va = (a”/λ” − (n+1/2)”)/
((2n +11/ n)...(5) Here are the conditions of the oscillator 1o used in the experiment (a=12,
5 mm, f = 1, 7 MHz) and
χ assuming the sound velocity in the treatment liquid c = 1500 m/sec. , χ□ are calculated as shown in Figure 6. The farthest position χ, where the sound pressure IP+ is maximum, is χt = a@/n−λ/4:a”/L ・= (6).The sound closer to the vibrator 1o than this position χ is Let the field be the near sound field and the far sound field be the far sound field.

Under the above conditions χt = 177.6 mm (7).

In the present invention, a near-field sound field is used in order to downsize the processing tank, and in this case, the sound pressure changes periodically at a frequency f. In other words, the sound pressure P at any position χ on the central axis X is twice the sound pressure IP+ in FIG.
Since it is a vibration wave with an amplitude of 1, peaks and troughs of sound pressure appear alternately every half wavelength/2=0.44 mm.

Figure 7 shows a diameter of 20 mm on the central axis X of the vibrator 10.
These are the results of measuring the sound pressure within a circular cross section of , using a pressure receiving element made of a piezoelectric element. In this figure, M indicates the maximum sound pressure, and m indicates the minimum sound pressure. 0.4 within the range χ=A near the vibrator 1o
The strength of the sound pressure occurs every 4 mm.

As is clear from FIG. 7, when the film is placed near the central axis X, the film position is 0644±△
If the accuracy of χ is not controlled, the influence of uneven sound pressure will occur, resulting in uneven development.

In the present invention, in order to eliminate this influence, the film is run while being obliquely intersecting the central axis X, where the directivity of the vibrator 10 is maximized, so as not to be perpendicular to it.

4A-4D are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the film running direction. In Figures 4A and 4B, the angle α between the central axis X of the vibrator 10 and the surface of the processing liquid is approximately π/2, and in Figure 4A, the film 12 is placed obliquely to the central axis X. FIG. 4B shows a case in which a U-turn is made in the processing liquid and the liquid is discharged upward. 4C and 14D show that the film 12 is run parallel to the liquid surface with α≠π/2, and in FIG. 12
Figure 4D shows the film 1
2 is shown running under the liquid surface.

(Example) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a developing process, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a processing liquid pack, Fig. 2A is a perspective view of its external appearance, and Figs. 2B and 2C. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal state before and after use.

In FIG. 1, 20 is a developing tank, and this processing tank 2
0 includes a film guide section 22 having an arc-shaped bottom when viewed from the side, and an excitation section 24 that opens obliquely to intersect the film guide section 22 in the film running direction (rightward direction). A pair of feed rollers 26 for transporting the film 12 are located at the left end of the film guide section 22, and a pair of feed rollers 26 for transporting the film 12 are located at the right end.
A pair of feed rollers 28 for conveying out the 2 are provided, respectively.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a liquid level regulating lid, which is made of neoprene rubber or the like and has an arcuate cross section, and is connected to the lid plate 3 through a heat insulating material 32.
It is attached to 4. A gap of approximately 3 to 4 mm is formed between the liquid level regulating lid 30 and the bottom surface of the film guide 20, and the film 12 is guided by a guide groove (not shown) so as to run through this gap.

A vibrator 10 with a diameter of 25 mm is attached to the bottom of the vibrating section 24, and the perpendicular line of the vibrator 10, that is, the central axis X, which is the direction of maximum directivity, intersects the film 12 obliquely with respect to the film running direction. The film 12 is set to be within the near field of the vibrator 10 on the central axis X, and is preferably in the range of 10 to 50 mm, for example.

The processing liquid is supplied to the processing tank 20 so that the liquid level is always constant. That is, the processing liquid is sent from the processing liquid tank 36 to the constant liquid level tank 4o by the pump 38, and this tank 4
The liquid level is maintained at a constant level within 0, and from there, the metering pump 42 sends the processing liquid into the film guide section 22 upstream of the vibrating section 24. The processing liquid passes over the partition wall of the loading chamber 44 of the downstream end side of the film guide section 22, that is, the lower feed roller 28, flows into the loading chamber 44, and enters the processing liquid pack 46 from there.

This processing liquid pack 46 is made of waterproof paper in a box shape, and the above-mentioned processing liquid tank 36 made of a flexible Plus Deck container is housed on one side of the new processing liquid pack 46 before use. A water supply polymer 48 is accommodated on the other side (second
Figure B). A processing liquid tank 36 is provided on the upper surface of the processing liquid pack 46.
and a treatment liquid outlet 46 in communication with a water supply polymer 48 and a water supply polymer 48, respectively.
a and a waste liquid cap 46b are opened, and after these are sealed with a thin film material, the upper surfaces thereof can be opened and closed with adhesive seal lids 46c and 46d. This processing liquid pack 46 is placed on a vertically movable tray 49 with these seal lids 46C and 146d open (FIG. 1), and is pushed upward by this tray 49 and loaded.

At this time, the processing liquid inflow pipe 38a of the pump 38 and the processing liquid discharge vibrator 44a leading to the loading chamber 44 break the thin film blocking the processing liquid outlet 48a and the waste liquid port 48b, and open the processing liquid tank 36 and the water supply polymer 48, respectively. It communicates with.

Therefore, when the processing liquid in the tank 36 decreases, the tank volume 36
Instead, the water supply polymer 46 gels and expands as shown at 48A in FIG. 2C. When the processing liquid in the tank 36 runs out and the pack 46 is replaced, the tray 49 is lowered and the pipe 38a is connected to the pack 46.
, 44a should be removed. Since the waste liquid is gelatinized, there is no risk of the liquid spilling, but the seal lids 46c, 46
It will be more reliable if the processing liquid outlet 46a and the waste liquid outlet 46b are closed at d. As a result, handling of the processing liquid becomes very easy.

The height of the partition wall of the loading chamber 44 that accommodates the feed roller 28 determines the height of the processing liquid level in the processing tank 20, and is, for example, 7 mm with respect to the arcuate bottom of the film guide section 22. It is desirable to keep it at a certain level. Note that 50 is a valve for discharging the processing liquid in the vibrating section 24 to the tank 46.

Therefore, a fixed amount of processing liquid is pumped into the processing tank 2 by the metering pump 42.
0, and the liquid level is kept constant by the partition wall of the loading chamber 44. The film 12 is fed at a constant speed by rollers 28 and 29, and is passed through the film guide section 22 of the processing tank 20.
Inside, it moves downward in a convex arc. The vibrator 10 generates ultrasonic waves at a constant frequency (for example, 1.7 MH) and constant energy, and this ultrasonic wave impinges on the film 10 obliquely. Therefore, the film 10 can move within the ultrasound irradiation area including the central axis X over a distance greater than the periodic interval of the strength of the ultrasound, and is not affected by the periodic strength of the ultrasound. Therefore, it is possible to perform good processing without uneven processing.

In this embodiment, since the central axis X of the vibrator 10 intersects with the running direction of the film 12, the ultrasonic waves promote the movement of the processing liquid in the film running direction, and there is always almost no new processing in the processing tank. Processing can continue using liquids.

Further, in this embodiment, the liquid level in the processing tank 20 is kept constant at the height of the partition wall of the loading chamber 44, but the liquid level is controlled using another liquid level sensor and a drain valve. Good too.

Note that the processing liquid oxidizes and deteriorates after a long period of time, so when the processing liquid deteriorates, the pump 38.4
2, open the valve 50 and open the processing liquid tank 36.
The processing liquid inside may be sent to the water supply polymer 48 to be gelled and disposed of.

Although the above embodiments apply the present invention to development processing, the present invention also includes applications to other processing.

FIG. 3 is an overall view of an automatic developing apparatus in which the processing apparatus of FIG. 1 is applied not only to the developing process but also to the fixing process and the washing process. In this figure, A, B, and C are developing, fixing, and
A water washing device is shown, which is the same processing device as in FIG. 1, except that each uses a developing solution, a fixing solution, and a cleaning solution as processing solutions.

In this figure, reference numeral 100 indicates a supply reel for photographed film that has not been processed, and reference numeral 102 indicates a take-up reel for winding the developed film. The undeveloped film 12 is guided to the developing device A while being sandwiched between a drive roller 104 and a contact roller 106. At this time, the leading edge and trailing edge of the film 12 are detected by the entrance sensor 108. Note that the rotation of the contact roller 104 is monitored by an encoder (not shown). After the film 12 is processed by each processing device A, B, and C, it is wound onto a take-up reel 102. At this time, an exit roller 110 rolls into contact with the film 12 coming out of the washing device C, and the rotation of this exit roller 110 is monitored by an encoder (not shown). In the vicinity of the exit roller 110, an exit sensor 112 is configured to monitor the leading and trailing ends of the film 12.

This device operates as follows. First, the photographed film 12 is set on the reel 100 and the power switch (not shown) is turned on, so that the pump 38.42 is activated to maintain the processing liquid at a specified liquid level, and the roller 26.2
8 starts rotating.

Film 12 is transferred from reel 100 to rollers 104, 106
As the film 12 is sandwiched and fed, the leading edge of the film 12 is detected by an inlet sensor 108, and based on the output of this sensor 108, the vibrators 10 of each of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C are turned on and start vibrating. After the film 12 has been processed by each of the processing devices A, B, and C, it is wound onto the take-up reel 102. At this time, when the exit sensor 112 detects the end of the film 12, the vibrator l
O is turned off and vibration stops.

In this device, film jams in devices A, B, and C are detected as follows. In other words, input loss sensor 1
If the exit sensor 112 does not detect the leading edge of the film within a certain period of time after the sensor 08 detects that the leading edge of the film 12 has entered, it is determined that the film has jammed. Furthermore, since the feed amount of the film 12 can be determined by an encoder that detects the rotation of the contact roller 106 and the exit roller 110, if the roller 110 stops while the sensors 108 and 112 are on (while the film is passing), it is determined that a jam has occurred. . Note that if the sensor 112 detects the end of the film within a predetermined period of time after the sensor 108 detects the end of the film, it may be determined that the film is normal, thereby confirming that the development has been performed normally.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention provides at least one of the steps of development, fixing, and water washing.
When processing is accelerated using ultrasonic waves in one processing step, the film is placed in the near-field of the ultrasonic generator, so the distance between the ultrasonic generator and the film can be reduced and the processing tank can be made smaller. It becomes possible. In addition, since the film is made to intersect diagonally with respect to the direction in which the ultrasonic output of the ultrasonic generating means is maximum, the film can traverse a range wider than the period of the strength of the ultrasonic waves, and uneven processing of the film can be avoided. It will no longer occur. Furthermore, if the direction of maximum ultrasonic output is oriented diagonally to the film running direction, the transfer of the processing liquid can be accelerated by ultrasonic waves, making the flow of the processing liquid even smoother. Become.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a developing treatment tank which is an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing the processing liquid pack, FIG. 2A is an external perspective view thereof, and FIGS. 2B and 2C are views showing its internal state before and after use. FIG. 3 is an overall view of an automatic developing apparatus in which the processing apparatus of FIG. 1 is applied not only to the developing process but also to the fixing process and the washing process. Further, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing various embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the coordinate system in the central axis X direction of the ultrasonic transducer, and Fig. 6 is a sound pressure distribution characteristic diagram on the X axis. , FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of actual measurement of sound pressure distribution. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Vibrator, 12... Film, 20... Processing tank, X... Central axis, A... Developing device, B... Fixing device, C... Water washing device.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an automatic developing device that sequentially sends photographed film to each step of developing, fixing, and washing with water, at least one processing step uses ultrasonic waves that apply ultrasonic vibrations to the film being processed. The film is provided with a generating means, and the film is placed in a sound field closer to the farthest position where the output sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave generating means is maximum, and the film surface has the maximum directivity of the ultrasonic wave generating means. An automatic developing device characterized in that the direction is not perpendicular to the direction. (2) The automatic developing device according to claim (1), wherein the direction in which the ultrasonic wave generating means has the maximum directivity is set obliquely toward the running direction of the film.