JPH05204117A - Heat transfer device for photosensitive material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing device which can execute the heat transfer for executing heating, cooling, etc., of a processing liquid with high thermal efficiency. CONSTITUTION:Pipings 44, 45, 46 in which the processing liquid of the photosensitive material processing device passes are cast into a heat conducting block 48. A circular hole is bored in the heat conducting block 48 in parallel with the respective pipings 44 to 46 apart equal spacings from the pipings 44 to 46. One end of a heat pipe 50 is press-fitted and tightly adhered into this circular hole. The intermediate part of the heat pipe 50 is curbed approximately at right angle. The other end of the heat pipe 50 is clamped by a heat transfer block 52 and heat transfer block 54 cast with heaters 60 and is tightened by screws 56 and is tightly contacted to the heat transfer blocks 52, 54. The heat generated by the heater 60 is transferred with the high thermal efficiency via the heat transfer block 52 and the heat pipe 50 to the heat transfer block 48. The processing liquid is heated by the heat retained in the heat transfer block 48.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for transferring heat to a processing solution of the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material such as a film or a photographic paper, such as development, a developing solution, a fixing solution, etc. , Treatment water such as washing water is stored, and these treatment liquids are heated by a heating device so as to have a preset liquid temperature.

As this heating device, a temperature adjusting tank is provided next to each processing tank so as to communicate with the processing tank. The processing solution is circulated between the processing tank and the temperature adjusting tank, and a heater is inserted in the stainless pipe. There is a cartridge type heater inserted in the temperature control tank. In this heating device, the heater heats the processing liquid in the temperature control tank, and the operation of the heater is controlled so that the processing liquid in the processing tank maintains the set temperature.

However, in the heating device using this temperature control bath, the same number of heaters and heater controllers as the processing baths are required. Further, since the heater is configured to contact the processing liquid to heat the processing liquid, in order to improve the temperature rising rate of the processing liquid, a heater with a large heat capacity is used, or the heater surface temperature is set to the processing liquid. It is necessary to make the temperature significantly higher than the liquid temperature of (for example, about 100 ° C). When the surface temperature of the heater is increased, the treatment liquid in contact with the heater may locally have a high temperature and the liquid may deteriorate.

Further, a treatment liquid in a specific treatment bath is heated by a heater, and the treatment liquids in other treatment baths are subjected to heat exchange with the heated treatment liquid to thereby perform a plurality of treatments. A heating device has been proposed in which the treatment liquid in the bath is heated by a single heater (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-158448). This can reduce the number of heaters and controllers. However, in this device, only the processing liquid in a specific processing tank is directly heated by the heater, and the processing liquids in other processing tanks exchange heat with the processing liquid after heating. Large loss and low thermal efficiency. Therefore, the rate of increase of the liquid temperature at the time of heat-up of the processing liquid is slow, and since the heating method is different between the specific processing tank and the other processing tanks, the liquid temperature of the processing liquid in all processing tanks is uniform. There was a problem that it was difficult to make it into a state.

Therefore, the present applicant has proposed, as a technique related to the present invention, a heating device in which a circulation pipe through which a circulating treatment liquid passes and a heater are cast into a single heat-conducting block ( See Japanese Patent Application No. 3-279758). In this heating device, since the heat-conducting block is made of metal having a large heat capacity, it is not necessary to use a heater having a large heat capacity or to raise the surface temperature of the heater to an extremely high temperature, and the processing liquid locally deteriorates to a high temperature. There is no such thing. Also, if multiple flow pipes are cast into a single heat transfer block, the processing liquids in multiple processing tanks can be heated without heat exchange between the processing liquids, resulting in high thermal efficiency, and processing in all processing tanks. It is possible to easily maintain a uniform liquid temperature.

In the above heating device, the treatment liquid absorbs heat from other equipment such as a pump or is heated by dry air, and when the liquid temperature becomes higher than a set temperature, cooling generated by a fan. The air is blown onto the heat-conducting block to cool it so that the temperature of the treatment liquid reaches the set temperature.

By the way, one of the conventional means for performing heat transfer
A heat pipe is known as one. This heat pipe is configured by decompressing the inside of a metal pipe and enclosing a small amount of liquid (working liquid) such as water and alcohol. When the heat pipe is arranged so as to be in contact with each of the two parts having a temperature difference, the working liquid is evaporated (vaporized) by absorbing the latent heat in the part in contact with the high temperature part. The vapor moves to a low-pressure part in contact with a low temperature part and then releases latent heat to condense (liquefy) and return to the part in contact with the high temperature part by natural flow or by utilizing capillary action. To be done. In this way, in the heat pipe, heat transfer is performed by the material flow due to the pressure gradient of steam,
A large amount of heat is carried by a minute temperature difference, and in some cases the apparent thermal conductivity reaches several thousand times that of metal, and low-loss heat transfer can be realized.

The pipe used as this heat pipe is
It is made of a metal (generally copper) having a high heat conductivity in consideration of heat transfer efficiency (thermal efficiency), but a metal such as copper corrodes when it comes into contact with a processing solution of a photosensitive material processing apparatus. In order to prevent this corrosion, it is conceivable to insert a heat pipe into a stainless steel protective tube, for example,
Since there is a space between the heat pipe and the protective pipe, the thermal efficiency is lowered and it becomes ineffective as a means of heat transfer. Further, there is a problem that the thermal efficiency is reduced when the surface of the heat pipe is coated with, for example, a fluororesin. Therefore, no heat pipe has been applied to heat transfer for heating and cooling the processing liquid of the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and provides a heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of performing heat transfer for heating, cooling, etc. of a processing liquid with high thermal efficiency. Is the purpose.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a heat-conducting block in which a pipe through which a processing liquid of a photosensitive material processing device passes is closely attached, and a heat-conducting block in which a heat source is closely attached. And a heat conducting block in which a heat source and a pipe through which the processing liquid passes are in close contact, and a heat pipe is in close contact with the heat conducting block.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first heat conducting block in which a heat source is closely attached, a second heat conducting block in which a pipe through which a processing liquid of a photosensitive material processing device passes is closely attached, and the first heat conducting block. A heat pipe that is in close contact with the block and the second heat conducting block and connects the first heat conducting block and the second heat conducting block.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a heat conducting block in which a pipe through which a processing liquid of a photosensitive material processing device passes is closely attached,
Alternatively, a heat pipe is brought into close contact with a heat conducting block in which a heat source and a pipe through which the treatment liquid passes are in close contact, and a part of the heat pipe is arranged at a temperature lower than the set temperature of the treatment liquid.

Further, it is preferable to dispose a part of the heat pipe in a passage of air used as a drying air for drying the photosensitive material.

Further, it is preferable to attach a radiation fin to a part of the heat pipe. Further, it is preferable that a part of the heat pipe is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block to which the pipe through which the replenisher to be added to the treatment liquid passes is adhered.

[0016]

In the invention of claim 1, for example, when the heat pipe is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block to which the pipe of the photosensitive material processing apparatus through which the processing liquid passes is closely attached, the heat conductivity of the heat pipe is Since the temperature is very high, for example, if the heat pipe is configured to be heated by a heat source such as a heater, the heat generated by the heat source is efficiently transmitted to the heat conducting block via the heat pipe, and the treatment liquid is retained by the heat held in the heat conducting block. Is heated, the treatment liquid can be heated with high thermal efficiency.

Further, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus, the processing liquid may receive heat from the surrounding environment, and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid may become higher than the set temperature. Even in such a case, for example, if a part of the heat pipe is arranged at a portion lower in temperature than the liquid temperature of the treatment liquid, surplus heat is efficiently transferred to the low temperature portion, so that the treatment liquid has high thermal efficiency. Can be cooled with.

On the other hand, when the heat pipe is closely attached to the heat conducting block to which the heat source is closely attached, the heat is efficiently transferred to the substance to be heated which is in contact with a part of the heat pipe, and the substance to be heated is highly efficiently heat-treated. It can be heated. For example, if the heat pipe is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block to which the pipe through which the treatment liquid passes is closely attached, the heat generated from the heat source is efficiently transferred to the heat conducting block, and the treatment liquid is heated by the heat retained by the heat conducting block. Therefore, the treatment liquid can be heated with high thermal efficiency.

Further, when the heat pipe is closely attached to the heat conducting block to which the heat source and the pipe through which the processing liquid passes, are closely attached, if a part of the heat pipe is arranged at a portion lower in temperature than the liquid temperature of the processing liquid, The surplus heat is efficiently transferred to the low temperature portion, and the processing liquid can be cooled with high thermal efficiency.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the heat transfer for heating and cooling the processing liquid can be performed with high thermal efficiency by bringing the heat pipe into close contact with at least one of the heat conducting blocks. it can. The pipe, the heat source and the heat pipe can be adhered to the heat conducting block by forming the heat conducting block from a molten metal and casting the molten metal into the molten metal. Further, it may be brought into close contact with the surface of the heat conducting block. Further, a hole may be bored in the heat conducting block and press fit into this hole.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the heat pipe is closely attached to and connected to the first heat conductive block to which the heat source is closely attached and the second heat conductive block to which the pipe through which the processing liquid passes is closely attached. ing. Thereby, the heat generated from the heat source is efficiently transmitted to the second heat conducting block via the first heat conducting block and the heat pipe, and the treatment liquid is heated by the heat retained by the second heat conducting block.
The treatment liquid can be heated with high thermal efficiency. Further, since the treatment liquid does not pass through the pipe and the heat pipe does not come into contact with the treatment liquid, the heat pipe is not corroded.

If the heat pipe and the first heat conduction block or the second heat conduction block can be removed, when the heat source composed of a heater or the like is replaced due to a failure,
The heat pipe may be removed from the first heat transfer block or the second heat transfer block, and the first heat transfer block may be replaced after the first heat transfer block and the second heat transfer block are separated. It is not necessary to remove the heater, and the work such as heater replacement can be easily performed.

Further, since the heat source and the pipe are brought into close contact with different heat conducting blocks, the positional relationship between the first heat conducting block and the second heat conducting block is changed by changing the length of the heat pipe or bending the heat pipe. Can be changed. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the heat source and the pipe is improved,
It is also possible to downsize the photosensitive material processing device. The number of circulation pipes cast into the second heat-conducting block may be singular or plural. By casting a plurality of pipes in the second heat-conducting block and passing different treatment liquids through the respective pipes, the different treatment liquids can be heated to the same liquid temperature.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the heat pipe is closely attached to the heat conducting block to which the pipe through which the treatment liquid passes is adhered, or to the heat conduction block to which the heat source and the pipe through which the treatment liquid passes are adhered. A part of it is arranged at a portion having a temperature lower than the set temperature of the processing liquid. In the photosensitive material processing device, the processing liquid may receive heat from the surrounding environment, and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid may become higher than the set temperature. In such a case, it is necessary to cool the processing liquid, but since the heat conductivity of the heat pipe is extremely high as described above, excess heat is radiated through the heat pipe to the low temperature portion with high thermal efficiency. Thus, the processing liquid is cooled with high thermal efficiency. Also, since heat is dissipated through the heat pipe, heat can be transferred to and dissipated through the heat pipe to any low-temperature portion that requires heating in the photosensitive material processing device, and the heat-conducting block can be directly cooled to conduct heat. Energy saving can be realized as compared with the case where excessive heat is dissipated around the block installation site.

Further, it is preferable that a part of the heat pipe for radiating heat is arranged in a passage of air used as a drying air for drying the photosensitive material. As described above, by radiating heat through the heat pipe, it is possible to radiate heat to any part of the photosensitive material processing device that requires heating. Therefore, by disposing the heat pipe in the passage of the air used as the dry air, excess heat is radiated to the passage, and this heat can be used for heating the air used as the dry air. Therefore, it is possible to save energy for heating the air to produce dry air.

Further, it is preferable to attach a radiation fin to a part of the heat pipe that radiates heat. As a result, the surface area of the heat radiating portion of the heat pipe is increased as compared with the case where the heat pipe is simply arranged in an arbitrary portion of the photosensitive material processing device where heating is required, for example, the passage of the air used as dry air. Therefore, heat can be radiated more efficiently.

Further, it is preferable that a part of the heat pipe is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block to which the pipe through which the replenisher to be added to the treatment liquid passes is in close contact. As a result, the liquid temperature of the replenisher can be made almost the same as the liquid temperature of the processing liquid.
Even if the replenisher is replenished, the liquid temperature of the processing liquid does not largely change, and the accuracy of adjusting the liquid temperature of the processing liquid is improved. Further, it is not necessary to additionally provide a heating means or the like for heating the replenisher.

[0028]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

Inside the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, a color developing tank 12, a bleaching tank 14, bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18, washing tanks 22 and 24, and a stabilizing tank 26 are sequentially arranged. A developing solution, a bleaching solution, a bleaching / fixing solution, washing water, and a stabilizing solution are stored in the respective processing tanks. Further, in each processing tank, a transport rack (not shown) for transporting the photosensitive material F inserted in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is provided. The photosensitive material F on which the image has been printed and inserted into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is conveyed by a transfer rack provided in each of the processing tanks, sequentially passed through each processing tank, and immersed in each processing solution. Will be processed.

A heater 32 is arranged in the color developing tank 12 so as to come into contact with the developing solution. This heater 32 is
The heater is a cartridge type heater in which a heating element is inserted in a stainless steel pipe, and the developer stored in the color developing tank 12 is heated by the heater 32. Heater 3
A liquid temperature sensor 33 is attached in the vicinity of the two disposition parts so as to come into contact with the developer. The liquid temperature sensor 33 is connected to the control circuit 30 (see FIG. 4), detects the liquid temperature of the developing solution, and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 30.

A circulation pipe 35 is attached to the color developing tank 12, and a pump 36 is provided at an intermediate portion of the circulation pipe 35.
Are arranged. The developer in the color developing tank 12 is sent into the circulation pipe 35 by the pump 36, passes through the circulation pipe 35, and then is sent out into the color developing tank 12 again for circulation. A radiator 38 is provided in the middle of the pipe 35, and a fan 39 connected to the control circuit 30 is provided near the radiator 38.
(See also FIG. 4). The control circuit 30 controls ON / OFF of the heater 32 so that the temperature of the developing solution reaches a predetermined set temperature, and the developing solution receives heat from the pump 36 while heating by the heater 32 is stopped, for example. , If the liquid temperature becomes higher than the set temperature,
The fan 39 is operated to operate the radiator 38 and the fan 39.
To cool the developer.

A flow meter 41 is provided in the middle of the pipe 35. The flow meter 41 detects the flow rate of the developing solution passing through the pipe 35 and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 30. The control circuit 30 determines that a pump failure or abnormality has occurred and issues an alarm when the detected flow rate is below a certain value.

Similar to the color developing tank 12, the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18 are also provided with circulation pipes 44, 45 and 46, and the processing liquid in each processing tank is provided in the middle of each piping. It is adapted to be circulated by the provided pumps 42A, 42B, 42C. These pipes 44, 45, 4
A heat transfer device 10A according to the present invention is provided on the downstream side of the portion where the pump 42 is disposed in the middle part of 6. In this heat transfer device 10A, the intermediate portions of the pipes 44, 45, 46 are cast in a single heat conducting block 48 so as to be parallel to each other, as shown in detail in FIG. The heat conducting block 48 is made of molten metal, and is preferably made of aluminum, brass, cast steel, copper or the like having high thermal conductivity. Further, in each of the pipes 44, 45 and 46, the portion cast in the heat conducting block 48 is formed of titanium in consideration of the efficiency of heat transfer.

The heat conducting block 48 is connected to the pipes 44, 4
It is formed by placing 5, 46 in a mold and then filling the mold with molten metal. Therefore, the heat conducting block 48 is in close contact with the surroundings of the pipes 44, 45, and 46, so that the efficiency of heat transfer between the heat conducting block 48 and each pipe is very high.

At the center of the heat conducting block 48, each pipe 4
Each pipe 4 at a position equally spaced from 4, 45, 46
A circular hole is formed in parallel with 4, 45, and 46, and one end of the heat pipe 50 is press-fitted into this circular hole. As will be described later, since the pipes forming the heat pipe 50 are made of copper, they are slightly deformed at the time of press-fitting to be in close contact with the heat conducting block 48, and the heat transfer efficiency between the heat conducting block 48 and the heat pipe 50 is high. .. In addition, when a slight gap is formed in a part of the contact surface between the heat pipe 50 and the heat conducting block 48, the gap may be filled with heat transfer grease or the like to improve the heat transfer efficiency. Good.

On the other hand, the middle portion of the heat pipe 50 is bent at a right angle, and the other end portion is sandwiched between the heat conducting blocks 52 and 54 made of aluminum. Heat conduction block 52, 5
4, a plurality of screws 56 are screwed together.
The other end of the heat pipe 50 is brought into close contact with the heat conducting blocks 52 and 54 by the tightening force of. Heat transfer block 5
2 is a heater 60 similar to the heat conducting block 48 described above.
, And a safety thermostat 62 for detecting the temperature of the heat conducting block 52 is attached. The heater 60 and the safety thermos 62 are connected to the control circuit 30 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 3, in the heat pipe 50, both ends of a metal (eg, copper) pipe 49 having a high thermal conductivity are closed, and the inner wall of the pipe 49 is covered with a mesh wick 51 made of metal. Has been formed. The inside of the heat pipe 50 is decompressed, and a small amount of water is enclosed as a working fluid. In addition, the mesh-shaped wick 51
Instead of this, a wick composed of a groove formed on the inner wall may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, there is a temperature difference 2
When the end portion 50A of the heat pipe 50 is arranged so as to contact the high temperature side and the end portion 50B is arranged so as to contact the low temperature side with respect to each of the two parts, since the inside of the heat pipe 50 is decompressed as described above, the end portion 50A Then, water absorbs ambient heat as latent heat and easily evaporates (vaporizes), and the pressure on the end 50A side increases. The water vapor passes through the intermediate portion of the pipe 49 and moves to the end portion 50B side where the pressure is low, and then releases latent heat to the surroundings to condense (liquefy). The liquefied water is returned to the end portion 50A along the wick 51 by its own weight or capillary action. In this way, heat is transferred by circulating water inside the heat pipe 50. In this embodiment, as the heat pipe 50, a heat pipe FRHP (trade name) manufactured by Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. is used.

In the first embodiment, one end of the heat pipe 50 is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block 52 heated by the heater 60, and the other end is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block 48 in which the pipes 44, 45 and 46 are cast. The heat generated by the heater 60 is transferred to the heat guiding block 48 via the heat guiding block 52 and the heat pipe 50, and the treatment liquid passing through the pipes 44, 45, 46 by the heat held by the heat guiding block 48. Is heated.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fan 63 for cooling the heat guiding block 48 is arranged near the heat guiding block 48. Also, bleaching tank 14 and bleaching / fixing tank 1
A liquid temperature sensor 58 for detecting the liquid temperature of the processing liquid in each tank is attached to each of 6 and 18. The fan 63 and the liquid temperature sensor 58 are connected to the control circuit 30 (FIG. 4).
reference). The control circuit 30 sets the temperature of the treatment liquid in each treatment tank to the set temperature based on the liquid temperature detected by any of the liquid temperature sensors 58 and the temperature of the heat conduction block 52 detected by the safety thermostat 62, and The heater 60 is controlled to be turned on and off so that the temperature of 52 becomes a predetermined temperature, and when the temperature of the processing liquid becomes higher than the set temperature, the fan 63 is operated to cool the heat conduction block 52 to perform the processing. Cool the liquid.

As in the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18, circulation pipes 64, 65 and 66 are attached to the water washing tanks 22 and 24 and the stabilizing tank 26, respectively, and the middle portions of the respective pipes. The processing liquid is circulated in each pipe by the pumps 70A, 70B, and 70C arranged in the above. A heat transfer device 10B is provided on the downstream side of the pump 70 installation site in the middle of these pipes. This heat transfer device 10B has the same structure as the heat transfer device 10A described above, and the heat transfer block 6 in which the pipes 44, 45, 46 are cast.
Eight. The heat conducting block 68 is also the heat pipe 50.
The heater 72 is connected to the cast heat conduction block 74 via the heat conduction block 74, and the heat generated from the heater 72 is transmitted to the heat conduction block 68 via the heat conduction block 74 and the heat pipe 50, and the inside of the pipes 64, 65, 66. The processing liquid passing through is heated.

A fan 76 for cooling the heat conducting block 68 is arranged near the heat conducting block 68. The control circuit 30 turns on / off the heater 72 based on the liquid temperature detected by the liquid temperature sensor 78 arranged in the washing tanks 22 and 24 and the stabilizing tank 26 and the temperature of the heat conduction block 74 detected by the safety thermostat 62. It controls the operation of the fan 76.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The photosensitive material F into which the image has been printed and inserted into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is first dipped in the developing solution in the color developing tank 12 and then sequentially dipped in the processing solution in the processing tank on the downstream side. Is processed. The developing solution in the color developing tank 12 is heated by the heater 32, circulated through the pipe 35, and uniformly heated to a set temperature. The processing liquids in the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18 are also circulated through the pipes 44, 45 and 46, and the heat transfer device 1
It passes through the 0 A heat conduction block 48. Heat conduction block 4
In 8, the heat generated from the heater 60 is transferred and heated with high thermal efficiency through the heat conducting block 52 and the heat pipe 50, and the retained heat heats the treatment liquid through the pipe walls of the pipes 44, 45 and 46. ..

As described above, heat is transferred to the heat conducting block 48 using the heat pipe 50, and all the processing solutions in the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18 are piped 44, 45 and 46.
Since it is circulated inside and heated by the heat conducting block 48, the thermal efficiency for heating the treatment liquid is high. Therefore, when the temperature is adjusted by any of the liquid temperature sensors 58 of the three treatment tanks, the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching tank 14 can be bleached only by increasing the heating temperature in the pipe portion in the heat conducting block 48 to, for example, about 60 ° C. at the maximum. For example, the temperature of the processing liquid in the fixing tanks 16 and 18 is set to 38.
The temperature can be raised to and maintained at ° C. In this way, the treatment liquid is not partially heated to a high temperature, so that the treatment liquid does not deteriorate. Similarly, regarding the heating of the treatment liquid in the washing tanks 22 and 24 and the stabilizing tank 26 by the heat transfer device 50B, the thermal efficiency for heating is high and the treatment liquid is not partially heated to a high temperature.

The heat conducting block 48 has a plurality of pipes 4
4, 45, 46, the heat conducting block 68 has a plurality of pipes 6
Since 4, 65 and 66 are cast and each pipe is heated under uniform heating conditions, it is possible to uniformly heat the liquid temperature of the processing liquid in each processing tank to maintain the uniform liquid temperature. it can. Further, after the heat generation of the heater 60 or 72 is stopped, the fan 63 or 76 is operated so that the temperature of the processing liquid does not rise even if the processing liquid receives the heat retained by the pump 42 or 70. The liquid temperature of can be maintained at the set temperature.

Further, if the heater 60 fails, for example, the screw 56 may be removed to separate the heat conducting block 52 and the heat conducting block 48, and then only the heat conducting block 52 in which the heater 60 is cast may be replaced. Since there is no need to drain the processing liquid in the pipe as in the case where the pipe through which the processing liquid circulates and the heater are cast in the same heat conducting block, the maintainability is high. Further, since each treatment liquid is circulated in each pipe and heated and does not come into contact with the heat pipe 50, the heat pipe 50 is not corroded by the treatment liquid.

Further, the positional relationship between the heat conducting block 48 and the heat conducting block 52, and between the heat conducting block 68 and the heat conducting block 74 can be changed by changing the length of the heat pipe, the presence or absence of bending of the intermediate portion, the degree of bending, and the like. So
The degree of freedom of arrangement of the piping and the heater is high, and the photosensitive material processing apparatus can be downsized.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat conducting block 4 in which the pipes 44, 45 and 46 are cast.
8 and the heat-conducting block 52 in which the heater 60 is cast are arranged apart from each other, and are connected via the heat pipe 50 that is in close contact with both, but the present invention is not limited to this. As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, the heat pipe 50 is sandwiched by the heat conduction block 48 in which the pipe 44 is cast and the heat conduction block 52 in which the heater 60 is cast, and the heat pipe 50 is tightened by the screw 56. May be closely attached to the heat conducting block 48 and the heat conducting block 52. The above configuration, for example, in the case of adjusting the temperature of only a processing liquid in a specific processing tank (for example, a developing tank) at a set temperature different from that of processing liquids in other processing tanks,
It can be used in place of the conventional cartridge heater. Also in this case, it is possible to heat the treatment liquid with high thermal efficiency, and it is possible to obtain an effect that deterioration of the treatment liquid can be suppressed because the treatment liquid is not partially heated to a high temperature.

Further, in the first embodiment, the plurality of pipes 44, 45, 46 are cast into the single heat conducting block 48, but the plurality of pipes are arranged so as to be cast into the single heat conducting block. When it is difficult, as shown in FIG. 10 as an example, the individual pipes 44 and 45 are cast into different heat conducting blocks 48A and 48B, and the respective heat conducting blocks 48A and 48B and the heater 60 are cast. A heat pipe 50A for closely contacting the heat conducting block 52 and
It can also be configured to connect via 50B. This configuration is effective when it is difficult to route the pipes 44 and 45 so as to be close to each other, and heat can be transferred to each of the pipes 44 and 45 that are located apart from each other via the heat pipe 50. In addition, the flexibility of the arrangement of the pipe, the heater, the processing liquid tank, and the like is high, and the photosensitive material processing apparatus can be downsized.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the heat transfer device 80A of the photosensitive material processing device 81 according to the second embodiment, the heater 60 is cast in the heat transfer block 48 together with the pipes 44, 45 and 46. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the heater 60
Is located at the center of the heat-conducting block 48.
6 are equally spaced. A circular hole is formed in the center of the heat conducting block 48 coaxially with the heater 69, and one end of the heat pipe 50 is press-fitted into the circular hole.

The middle portion of the heat pipe 50 is bent at a right angle, and the other end of the heat pipe 50 is in contact with a portion having a temperature lower than the temperature of the treatment liquid, for example, a water supply portion for adding evaporation from each treatment tank. It is arranged. A plurality of heat radiation fins 82 are attached to the other end, and a fan 63 for blowing cooling air to the heat radiation fins 82 is provided near the heat radiation fins 82. On the other hand, also in the heat transfer device 80B, the heaters 72 are cast in the heat transfer block 68 together with the pipes 64, 65, 66, the heat radiating fins 84 are provided at the other end of the heat pipe 50, and the heat radiating fins 84 are provided near the heat radiating fins 84. Is provided with a fan 76.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. The processing liquid in the bleaching tank 14, the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18 is the pipe 4
It is circulated through 4, 45 and 46 and passes through the heat conducting block 48. The heat conducting block 48 is heated by the heat generated by the heater 60, and the heat held therein causes the pipes 44, 4
The treatment liquid is heated through the walls of the pipes 5, 46. In this way, all the processing liquids in the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18 are circulated in the pipes 44, 45 and 46 and heated by the heat conducting block 48 so as to reach the set temperature. Since the thermal efficiency for heating the treatment liquid is high and the treatment liquid is not partially heated to a high temperature, the treatment liquid is not deteriorated. Similarly, regarding the treatment liquids in the water washing tanks 22 and 24 and the stabilizing bath 26, the thermal efficiency for heating is high and the treatment liquids are not partially heated to a high temperature.

Further, when the processing liquid in the bleaching tank 14 and the bleaching / fixing tanks 16 and 18 receives heat from the pump 42 or the like and the liquid temperature rises while the heater 60 is not operating, the control circuit 30 causes the fan to operate. Activate 63. The heat held in the heat guiding block 48 is the heat pipe 5 press-fitted into the heat guiding block 48.
It is also transmitted to the one end side of 0. The heat transferred to the one end side of the heat pipe 50 is transferred to the other end side having a low temperature inside the heat pipe 50 with high thermal efficiency, and is radiated at the other end side. Here, a fan 63 is provided at the other end of the heat pipe 50.
Since the cooling air is blown by and the surface area of the portion for radiating heat is increased by the radiation fins 82, the heat retained by the heat conducting block 48 is radiated with high thermal efficiency, and the processing liquid is cooled in a short time.

With respect to the treatment liquids in the washing tanks 22 and 24 and the stabilizing tank 26, when the liquid temperature rises due to heat from the pump 70 or the like, the fan 76 is operated and the heat held by the heat conducting block 68 has high thermal efficiency. Heat is dissipated and the processing liquid is cooled in a short time.

Further, since heat is radiated through the heat pipe 50, by changing the length of the heat pipe 50, the presence / absence of bending of the intermediate portion, and the degree of bending, for example, it is possible to heat the photosensitive material processing device 80 at any temperature. Since heat can be transferred to and radiated to the part via the heat pipe 50, the heat can be transferred to any part of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 80, not limited to the processing liquid. Therefore, the energy saving of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 80 can be performed as compared with the case where the heat conducting blocks 48 and 68 are directly cooled as in the first embodiment and the excess heat is radiated to the periphery of the heat conducting blocks 48 and 68 installation site. realizable.

In the second embodiment, the heat pipe 50
Although the radiation fin 82 is attached to the other end of the above to improve the efficiency of heat radiation, the present invention is not limited to this, and the radiation fin 82 may be omitted. In this case, although the efficiency of heat dissipation decreases, it is possible to obtain the effect that heat can be transferred through the heat pipe 50 to the site where heat is required in the photosensitive material processing device and the heat can be released.

Further, in the heating device (see Japanese Patent Application No. 3-279758) already proposed by the present applicant, for example, one in which a single pipe and a heater are cast in a heat conducting block is as follows. Then, the present invention can be easily applied. That is, as shown in FIG.
A block 102 made of, for example, aluminum corresponding to 0 is used, and a section U parallel to the heater 104 and the pipe 106 is provided on the opposing surfaces of the heat conduction block 100 and the block 102, respectively.
Engrave a V-shaped groove. The other end of the heat pipe 108 having the radiating fin 110 attached to one end is sandwiched between the heat conducting block 100 and the block 102 so as to correspond to the groove, and tightly attached by tightening with the screw 112. As a result, the heat possessed by the heat conducting block 100 can be dissipated with high thermal efficiency.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the heat transfer device 86A of the photosensitive material processing device 86 in the third embodiment, one end of two heat pipes 50A and 50B is press-fitted into the heat conducting block 48. One of the heat pipes 50A has an intermediate portion bent at a substantially right angle, and a heat conducting block 52 in which a heater 60 is cast is attached to the other end. Further, a radiation fin 82 is attached to the other end of the other heat pipe 50B, and as shown in FIG.
The radiation fin 82 is the drying unit 8 of the photosensitive material processing device 86.
The intermediate portion is arranged so as to be bent at a substantially right angle so as to correspond to the outside air intake port 98A.

Further, the heat transfer block 6 of the heat transfer device 86B.
Two heat pipes 50C and 50D are also press-fitted in the heater 8, and the heater 72 is attached to the other end of the one heat pipe 50C.
Is attached to the heat conducting block 74, and the heat radiating fin 84 is attached to the other end of the other heat pipe 50D. Also in the heat pipe 50D, the radiation fins 84 are arranged so as to correspond to the outside air intake port 98A (not shown in FIG. 8).

The drying unit 88 is provided adjacent to the stabilizing tank 26, and has a fan 90 for generating an air flow and a fan 90.
And a heater box 92 having a built-in heater (not shown) disposed on the exhaust side. The air flow generated by the fan 90 is heated by the heater in the heater box 92 and is supplied as dry air into the drying chamber 94 through which the photosensitive material F (not shown) processed through each processing tank passes. Thus, the photosensitive material F is dried.

Part of the dry air used for drying is returned to the intake chamber 98 via the return duct 96, and the rest is discharged to the outside of the drying section 88. The outside air intake port 98A is opened in the intake chamber 98. Intake chamber 98
Communicates with the intake side of the fan 90, and when the fan 90 operates, the outside air that has passed through the radiating fins 82, 84 installation site is sucked into the intake chamber 98 through the outside air intake port 98A, and the return duct 96 flows through. It is adapted to be mixed with the dry air returned via the fan and supplied to the fan 90.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. The heat-conducting block 48 is heated by the heat generated from the heater 60 being transmitted through the heat pipe 50A, and the retained liquid heats the treatment liquid through the pipe walls of the pipes 44, 45, and 46. Further, the heat-conducting block 68 is heated by the heat generated from the heater 72 being transmitted through the heat pipe 50C, and the retained liquid heats the treatment liquid through the pipe walls of the pipes 64, 65, 66. In this way, heat is transferred to the heat conducting block 48 and the heat conducting block 68 by using the heat pipes 50A and 50C, and the treatment liquid in each treatment tank is circulated in each pipe and heated by the heat conducting block 48 or the heat conducting block 68. , High thermal efficiency for heating the processing liquid,
Since the treatment liquid is not heated to a high temperature partially, the treatment liquid does not deteriorate.

On the other hand, the fan 90 and the heater box 92
When the drying air is generated by the operation of the drying unit 88, a part of the drying air used for drying is discharged to the outside of the drying unit 88. As a result, the treatment liquid may receive heat and the liquid temperature may become higher than the set temperature. However, when the fan 90 operates, the outside air intake 9 of the intake chamber 98 is
The outside air is sucked through 8A, and the outside air thus sucked becomes an air flow and is blown to the heat radiation fins 82 and 84. Therefore, the excess heat transmitted through the heat pipes 50B and 50D is radiated. The processing liquid is cooled. As described above, the treatment liquid receives heat from the outside in accordance with the operation of the drying unit 88, but at the same time, the heat radiation amount by the radiation fins 82 and 84 also increases, so that the treatment liquid can be automatically maintained at the set temperature. ..

Further, since the outside air sucked in through the outside air inlet 98A is heated to some extent by the heat radiation from the radiation fins 82 and 84, the energizing time of the heater of the drying portion 88 can be shortened, and the photosensitive material can be shortened. Energy saving of the processing device 87 can be realized. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a fan separately at the location where the heat radiation fins 82, 84 are provided to operate the fan to radiate heat when the temperature of the processing liquid becomes higher than the set temperature, It is unnecessary and easy to control.

In the third embodiment, the radiation fins 82 and 84 are arranged so as to heat the outside air sucked through the outside air intake 98A of the drying section 88, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not something. For example, if the intermediate portion of the pipe through which the replenisher supplied to each processing tank passes is cast into a heat-conducting block and this heat-conducting block is heated via a heat pipe, the photosensitive material processing apparatus can be installed in a low temperature environment. Even in this case, since the replenisher is heated in advance, fluctuations in the temperature of the treatment solution in the treatment tank due to the replenishment of the replenisher are suppressed to a small level.

Further, a heat pipe having one end connected to a heat conducting block for heating the treatment liquid is circulated, and the replenishment liquid stored in the storage tank at the replenishment liquid supply portion is treated with the treatment liquid in the above embodiment. If the heating is performed in the same manner as the heating, the replenisher is also heated up at the same time as the treatment liquid is heated up at the start of the operation for one day, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation in the supply unit.

Further, in the above embodiment, the heat pipe is pressed into a hole provided in the heat conducting block, or is sandwiched by a plurality of heat conducting blocks and tightened with screws so as to be in close contact with the heat conducting block. After casting only 49 into the heat-conducting block, the wick 51 may be provided inside the pipe 49, and the heat pipe 50 may be formed by decompressing and closing both ends. In this case, the pipe 49 is cast into the heat conducting block so as to be in close contact with the heat conducting block, so that the thermal efficiency is very high. Further, in the above embodiment, the pipe and the heater are brought into close contact with each other by being cast into the heat conducting block, but they may be brought into close contact with each other by press fitting or tightening as described above.

[0070]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the heat conducting block in which the pipes through which the treatment liquid passes are closely attached, the heat conducting block in which the heat source is closely attached, and the pipe through which the heat source and the treatment liquid pass. Since the heat pipe is provided in close contact with at least one of the closely attached heat conducting block and the heat pipe is brought into close contact with the heat conducting block, it is possible to perform heat transfer for heating, cooling, etc. of the treatment liquid with high thermal efficiency. The effect is obtained. According to the second aspect of the invention, the heat pipe is closely attached to and connected to the first heat conduction block to which the heat source is closely attached and the second heat conduction block to which the pipe through which the treatment liquid passes are closely attached. The excellent effect that the heat transfer for heating the treatment liquid can be performed with high thermal efficiency is obtained.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the heat pipe is closely attached to the heat conducting block to which the pipe through which the treatment liquid passes is adhered, or the heat conduction block to which the heat source and the pipe through which the treatment liquid passes are adhered. Since a part of the above is placed at a temperature lower than the set temperature of the processing liquid, the excellent effect that the heat transfer for cooling the processing liquid can be performed with high thermal efficiency is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a heat conducting block and a heat pipe according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a heat pipe.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the connection of each device constituting the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a heat conducting block, a heat pipe and a radiating fin according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of radiation fins and the like of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of a heat conducting block and a heat pipe.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of a heat conducting block and a heat pipe.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example in which a heat pipe is attached to a conventional heat guide block to radiate heat.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Heat Transfer Device 32 Heater 44 Circulation Piping 45 Circulation Piping 46 Circulation Piping 48 Heat Conduction Block 50 Heat Pipe 52 Heat Conduction Block 60 Heater 64 Circulation Piping 65 Circulation Piping 66 Circulation Piping 68 Heat Conduction Block 74 Heat Conduction Block 80 Heat Transfer Device 82 Radiation Fin 84 Radiation Fin 86 Heat transfer device 88 Drying part 98A Outside air intake

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heat-conducting block in which a pipe of a photosensitive material processing apparatus through which a processing liquid passes is in close contact, a heat-conducting block in which a heat source is in close contact, and a heat-conducting block in which a heat source and a pipe through which the processing liquid passes are in close contact. A heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing device, comprising a heat pipe in close contact with the heat conducting block. 2. A first heat conduction block in which a heat source is closely attached, a second heat conduction block in which a pipe through which a processing liquid of a photosensitive material processing device passes is closely attached, the first heat conduction block and the second heat conduction block. A heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, comprising: a heat pipe that is in close contact with a heat guide block and connects the first heat guide block and the second heat guide block. 3. A heat pipe is adhered to a heat conducting block in which a pipe of a photosensitive material processing apparatus through which a processing liquid passes is in close contact, or a heat conduction block in which a heat source and a pipe through which the processing liquid passes is in close contact, and the heat is applied. A heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein a part of a pipe is arranged at a portion having a temperature lower than a preset temperature of the processing liquid. 4. The heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the part of the heat pipe is arranged in a passage of air used as a drying air for drying the photosensitive material. 5. A heat transfer device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a radiation fin is attached to said part of said heat pipe. 6. The heat for a light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the portion of the heat pipe is brought into close contact with a heat conducting block to which a pipe through which a replenisher to be added to the processing liquid passes is in close contact. Transmission device.