JPH075657A - Automatic water replenishing device for photographic processing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to surely replenish respective processing tanks with water, to detect the abnormality of the processing tanks and to reduce initial costs,by detecting the liquid levels in the respective processing tanks and replenishing the tanks with the water with each of the respective processing tanks. CONSTITUTION:The processing tanks 1 to 6 are mounted with mechanisms A1 to A6 for detecting the liquid levels of the replenishing water. Water replenishing mechanisms are composed of transfer mechanisms P1 to P6 connected to the processing tanks 1 to 6. A control mechanism receives the signals from the mechanisms A1 to A6 for detecting the liquid levels of the replenishing water and applies the signals to the transfer mechanisms P1 to P6. Detecting mechanisms consisting of, for example, float switches or electrodes are usable for the mechanisms A1 to A6 for detecting the liquid levels of the replenishing water. The volume of the replenishing water and water replenishing time of the water replenishing mechanism are settable for each of the processing tanks 1 to 6. The processing tanks 1 to 6 are provided with the mechanisms A1 to A6 for detecting the liquid levels of the replenishing water for each of the tanks and are replenished with the water for each of the processing tanks 1 to 6 and, therefore, any of the processing tanks 1 to 6 is surely replenished with the water; in addition, it is possible to check that the tanks are sufficiently replenished with the water.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor (hereinafter, simply referred to as "water replenishing device"). More specifically, the present invention relates to a rehydration device that automatically detects replenishment water for each treatment tank by detecting that the treatment liquid level has dropped to a position requiring replenishment water (hereinafter referred to as a replenishment water reference position) for each treatment tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photographic processors include a film processor that develops a film that has been photographed and a paper processor that develops the paper by printing the developed film on photographic paper (paper). Both processors have multiple processing tanks containing processing liquids for color development, bleaching, fixing, stabilization, etc., and temperature sensors are installed so that each processing liquid can be processed at the optimum temperature. , A constant temperature is maintained by a heater or the like. Therefore, each processing solution such as the developing solution and the fixing solution evaporates due to this heating or naturally, the concentration of the processing solution becomes high, and the quality of the photograph may deteriorate.

Therefore, in order to keep the concentration of the treatment liquid constant, it is necessary to appropriately replenish each treatment tank.

Conventionally, a float type hydrometer which senses the specific gravity of the processing liquid and floats and sinks it, and issues a warning when the specific gravity of each processing liquid changes (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-118238). There is a water replenisher that estimates the amount of evaporated water in each treatment tank from the water level of a monitor water tank that is transparent so that the water surface can be observed from the outside (JP-A-1-254959).

[0005]

However, the concentration sensor such as the above-mentioned float type pycnometer is expensive and complicated, and there is a problem that the initial cost becomes high when this is used.

In addition, among a plurality of processing tanks, such as one using a monitor water tank, one processing tank to be monitored is
Since the liquid level of each processing tank is not checked, there is a possibility that water will be refilled even in a tank where the liquid level has not deteriorated, and the operator visually confirms whether or not water is actually refilled in all tanks. There is a problem that you have to call.

Further, even if there is an abnormality such as a leakage of the treatment liquid in the treatment tank, it is not detected and replenishment of water is started, resulting in a serious damage.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention detects the liquid level of the treatment liquid in each treatment tank to perform water replenishment for each treatment tank so that each treatment tank is reliably replenished with water. An object of the present invention is to provide a water replenishing device capable of detecting an abnormality in a tank and having a low initial cost.

[0009]

The automatic water replenishing device of the present invention is an automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material having a plurality of processing tanks, and the liquid level of the processing liquid is replenished. A replenishment liquid level detection mechanism for detecting that it is at the reference position and a replenishment mechanism for replenishing water are provided in each treatment tank, and a control mechanism for controlling the replenishment mechanism is provided.

Further, it is preferable that the control mechanism is constructed so as to be able to set the amount of replenishment water and the replenishment time of each treatment tank.

Further, when the control mechanism continues to detect that the liquid level of the treatment liquid is at the water refilling reference position for the designated fixed time, the replenishment mechanism starts refilling water. Is preferably configured to indicate.

Further, it is preferable that the control mechanism is configured to instruct the water replenishment mechanism to replenish water for a fixed period of time designated when the power is turned on.

In addition, the control mechanism at least when the photosensitive material is processed in each processing liquid tank, when the processing liquid overflows in one or more processing tanks, when the waste liquid is processed, and when the replenishing water operation is abnormal. It is preferable that the water replenishment mechanism is instructed to prohibit water replenishment at the time of designation or at other times.

Further, when the control mechanism has a plurality of treatment tanks in which the liquid level of the treatment liquid is detected to be at the reference position for replenishment water, the control mechanism simultaneously operates in a plurality of treatment tanks requiring replenishment water. Alternatively, it is preferable that the water replenishing mechanism is instructed to replenish water in a specified fixed order.

The water replenishment mechanism includes a water replenishment tank,
It comprises a transfer mechanism provided on a water channel connecting the replenishment tank and each treatment tank, the replenishment tank is provided with a replenishment tank residual amount detection mechanism, and the replenishment tank residual amount detection mechanism is the water amount of the replenishment tank. It is preferable that the control mechanism is provided with an alarm mechanism that issues a replenishment tank alarm when it is detected that is less than or equal to a set value.

Further, if the control mechanism detects again that the liquid level of the treatment liquid in the same treatment tank is at the reference position for replenishment water within a designated time after the completion of replenishment of water, an alarm mechanism for issuing a treatment tank alarm is provided. It is preferably provided.

Further, when the control mechanism detects that the liquid level of the treatment liquid has not reached the designated liquid level when the replenishing water is continued for the designated time, an alarm mechanism for issuing a treatment tank alarm is provided. It is preferably provided.

[0018]

In the water replenishing apparatus of the present invention, a water replenishment liquid level detection mechanism and a water replenishment mechanism are provided for each treatment tank, and the decrease of the liquid level in each treatment tank is independently detected to replenish water. The control mechanism starts replenishing water when the replenishment water level detection mechanism detects that the level of the treatment liquid is at the replenishment reference position, and adjusts the amount of replenishment water and the replenishment time for each treatment tank to replenish water. Control.

When the replenishment water level detection mechanism simultaneously detects the need for replenishment water in a plurality of treatment tanks, the treatment tanks that require replenishment water are replenished at the same time, or one tank is appointed in a designated order. Water can be replenished in the treatment tank one by one.

At the start-up inspection, even if the replenishment liquid level detection mechanism does not detect the need for replenishment water, it can be replenished for a specified period of time.

Even when the replenishment liquid level detection mechanism detects the need for replenishment water, when the photosensitive material is being processed in each processing tank and the processing liquid overflows in one or more processing tanks, When an abnormality occurs in the waste liquid treatment or the water refilling operation, or in other designated situations, the water refilling can be controlled not to be performed.

Further, after the water replenishment is completed, if the water replenishment liquid level detection mechanism again detects the need for water replenishment within a fixed time, the control mechanism is controlled to issue a warning indicating that the water replenishment is abnormal.

Further, when the remaining amount of the replenishment tank for storing water to be replenished to each processing tank becomes low, the replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism detects this and the control mechanism can be controlled to issue a replenishment tank alarm.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The water replenishing device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the water replenishing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the water replenishing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control mechanism of the water replenishing apparatus of the present invention. .

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 to 6 denote treatment tanks, and the treatment liquid layers 1 to 6 are provided with replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6. The water replenishment mechanism is a water replenishment tank 7 and a transfer mechanism P1 connected from the water replenishment tank 7 to each of the processing tanks 1 to 6.
To P6. Further, the control mechanism receives signals from the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 and gives signals to the transfer mechanisms P1 to P6.
C including a keyboard 9, a display 10, and a ROM 14
And PU11. In addition, each processing tank 1-6
Is connected to a waste liquid tank 13 that discards each processing liquid, and each processing layer 1 to 3 is connected to a replenishment tank 15 that replenishes each processing liquid.

Further, the control mechanism is provided with an alarm mechanism for issuing a replenishment tank alarm, a treatment tank alarm or a waste liquid tank alarm in response to signals from the respective detection mechanisms.

The processing tanks 1 to 6 are, for example, the processing tank 1 is a tank for performing color development of a film or paper, the processing tank 2 is a tank for bleaching or fixing a film or paper, and the processing tanks 3 to 3 are 4 is a tank for stabilizing the film or paper. Each processing tank 1 to 6 has a built-in heater (not shown) for keeping each processing liquid at an appropriate temperature, and each processing tank 1 to 6 is a rack holding a delivery roller for circulating a film or paper. (Not shown) is provided.

As the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6, for example, a reed switch is built in, and a float switch that is turned on by a float that floats up when the amount of liquid increases, or two electrodes in the treatment liquid. broth,
It is possible to use a detection mechanism using an electrode that confirms the presence or absence of the treatment liquid by turning the current on and off as the current flows through the treatment liquid. The replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 by the float switch are attached so as to be turned off when the liquid level of the treatment liquid reaches the replenishment water reference position. For example, if the off state continues for 30 seconds continuously, the replenishment mechanism by the water replenishment mechanism is used. Is controlled by the control mechanism to start.

The replenishment amount and replenishment time of the replenishment mechanism can be set for each treatment tank. For example, the replenishment operation is continued for a few seconds after the replenishment level detectors A1 to A6 are turned on with the water level rising from off. It is controlled to stop automatically when you do.

When the power switch 8 is turned on at the start of work or at the end of inspection, the CPU 11 of the control mechanism causes the CPU 11 of the control mechanism to turn on even if the liquid level of the treatment liquid is not at the replenishment water reference position (the replenishment water level detectors A1 to A6 are turned on). Replenish water for a certain period of time (even in the condition of). For example, when the power switch 8 is turned on, it is possible to control the replenishment of water in each treatment tank for several seconds. In addition, it is preferable that the replenishment of water at the time of start-up inspection is not indispensable, and it is controlled so that the user can select it.

After the replenishment of water is completed as described above, the replenishment of water in the same treatment tank is again performed during a designated fixed time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour after the replenishment water level detecting mechanism is switched from OFF to ON). Liquid level detection mechanism A1 to A6
When is turned off, the control mechanism instructs the alarm mechanism to issue a processing tank alarm. In addition, even if the water replenishment operation is performed for a certain period of time (for example, 20 seconds), the control mechanism instructs to issue a processing tank alarm even when the water replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 do not switch from off to on. . This alarm may be displayed by a warning sound such as a buzzer or a warning lamp. Further, the abnormality may be displayed on the display 10 of the CPU 11.

The transfer mechanisms P1 to P6 are for transferring the water stored in the replenishment tank 7 to the respective treatment tanks 1 to 6, and the drive unit 12 drives the replenishment tank based on a signal from the CPU 11 of the control mechanism. 7 to each processing tank 1
6 is driven to replenish water. Normally, each processing tank 1
Nos. 6 to 6 are separately controlled, and two or more treatment tanks are not simultaneously replenished with water. However, if the replenishment liquid level detection mechanism is turned off in a plurality of treatment tanks at the same time (that is, if it is detected that replenishment water is necessary), the CPU 11 of the control mechanism, for example, treats tank 1 → treatment tank 2 → treatment tank 3 → treatment Tank 4 → Treatment tank 5 →
The transfer mechanisms P1 to P6 are controlled so that water is replenished one by one in the order of the treatment tank 6 and the treatment tank 1 or only the treatment tanks that require replenishment water are simultaneously replenished. In the present embodiment, pumps are used as the transfer mechanisms P1 to P6, but instead of the pumps, the replenishment water tank 7 is used for each of the treatment tanks 1 to 6.
It is also possible to arrange the transfer pipe above the processing liquid surface and open / close the transfer pipe with a solenoid valve or the like.

The replenishment water tank 7 is provided with a replenishment water tank remaining amount detecting mechanism B which detects when the amount of water stored in the replenishment water tank 7 becomes small. The water replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism B is connected to the CPU 11 of the control mechanism, and when it detects that the amount of water stored in the water replenishment tank 7 is small, it issues a water replenishment tank alarm. When the alarm is issued during replenishment water, the replenishment of water in the treatment tank is performed to the end, and no replenishment water is performed in other treatment tanks.

As the replenishment tank remaining amount detecting mechanism B, a float switch or an electrode detecting mechanism is used as in the replenishing water level detecting mechanisms A1 to A6. The float switch is attached below the replenishment tank 7 and turns off when the liquid level approaches the bottom surface, and a replenishment tank alarm is issued. The alarm mechanism may be displayed by a warning sound such as a buzzer or a warning lamp. Further, it may be displayed on the display 10 of the CPU 11.

The waste liquid tank 13 is provided with a waste liquid tank full amount detecting mechanism D for detecting that the waste liquid tank 13 is full. Then, when the waste liquid tank 13 is full, the control mechanism issues a waste liquid tank alarm and instructs not to replenish water. Then, when the waste liquid in the waste liquid tank 13 is discarded and the empty waste liquid tank 13 is set to the original position, the waste liquid tank alarm is released. If the alarm is issued during replenishment water, the shortage time of the planned replenishment time is stored, the replenishment of the treatment tank that was in the replenishment water is restarted, and the replenishment water is stopped after the shortage time has been replenished. It is also possible. For example, in a treatment tank that was set to replenish water for 4 seconds,
If the water supply is stopped by the alarm when the water supply is completed for 2 seconds, the remaining 2 seconds of water supply is controlled after the alarm is released.

The replenishment tank 15 is provided corresponding to each of the processing tanks 1 to 3, and is provided with a replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism E for detecting when the amount of the replenishment liquid in each replenishment tank 15 becomes small. The replenishment tank residual amount detection mechanism E is connected to the CPU 11 of the control mechanism, and when it detects that the amount of the replenishment liquid in the replenishment tank is small, the shortage of the replenishment liquid is replenished after the processing of the photosensitive material is completed.

As the replenishment tank remaining amount detecting mechanism E, a detecting mechanism such as a float switch or an electrode is used like the replenishing water level detecting mechanisms A1 to A6. The float switch is attached below the refill tank 15 and turns off when the liquid level approaches the bottom surface to issue a refill tank alarm. This alarm mechanism is considered to be displayed by a warning sound such as a buzzer or a warning lamp. Alternatively, it may be displayed on the display 10 of the CPU 11.

Also, a predetermined processing tank, for example, 1, 2, 6
Is provided with processing liquid level lower limit detection mechanisms C1, C2, C6 at appropriate positions below the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1, A2, A6. When the liquid level of the treatment liquid drops below the above-mentioned position, this is detected and a treatment tank alarm is issued to control not to replenish water.

Processing liquid level lower limit detection mechanism C1, C2, C6
For the waste liquid tank full amount detection mechanism D, a float switch or an electrode detection mechanism is used as in the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6.

In the following cases, the control mechanism is controlled so that the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 do not replenish the water even if the need for replenishment water is detected. That is, when the photosensitive material is being processed in each of the processing liquid tanks 1 to 6 and the processing liquid is being discharged in one or more processing tanks, the waste liquid tank 13 is full and the waste liquid tank alarm is issued. If the water tank 7 is emptied and the water tank 7 is emptied and a water tank alarm is issued, the specified conditions other than the above (when the keyboard indicates that there is no water tank, the interlock switch is removed. When there is a) etc.

Further, the rehydration operation is stopped even if the power is turned off.

Next, based on FIG. 2, the contents detected by the respective detection mechanisms and an example of the operation after the detection will be briefly summarized. The description will be made in correspondence with (1) to (8) in the figure.

First, while the film or paper is being processed, the water replenishment mechanism does not operate, and the water replenishment pump is stopped (1).

When the above treatment is not carried out and the replenishment water is supplied for a certain period of time, the replenishment water level detection mechanism A1 to
When A6 does not detect the rise of the liquid level, a processing tank abnormality alarm is issued and the rehydration pump is stopped (2).

Replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism B is
When it detects that the amount of water is small, a replenishment tank alarm is issued and the replenishment pump is stopped (3).

When the waste liquid tank full amount detection mechanism D detects that the waste liquid tank 13 is filled with the waste liquid, a waste liquid tank alarm is issued and the replenishment pump is stopped (4).

The replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism E is used for the replenishment tank 1
If the photosensitive material is processed when it is detected that the replenisher in 5 is low, the replenisher is further insufficient. The ROM 14 is calculated by converting the shortage of the replenishing liquid into the replenishing pump operating time.
After the processing of the light-sensitive material is completed, the shortage of the replenishing solution is replenished by the transfer mechanism (RP1, RP2, RP3). The replenishment pump is stopped during the replenishment of the shortage of the replenisher (5).

Processing liquid level lower limit detection mechanism C1, C2, C6
However, when it is detected that the liquid level of the processing liquid is lower than the set lower limit, a processing tank alarm is issued and the rehydration pump does not operate (6).

The detection operation by the replenishment liquid level detection mechanisms A1 to A6 is started, for example, when it is detected that the float switch is turned off from on and the replenishment water level is lowered, and the float switch is turned on from off. After a certain period of time, the process ends (7), but if the replenishment level detection mechanism detects a decrease in the level of the replenishment liquid again within a certain period of time after the end of replenishment, the processing tank abnormality alarm is issued and the replenishment pump operates. Not (8).

If no abnormality is detected, processing of the next film or paper is started.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control mechanism connected to the CPU 11. In the CPU 11, whether to perform replenishing water after inputting the power switch 8 through the keyboard 9 in advance, how many seconds after which the water level should be considered as abnormal if no rise in the liquid level is detected even if replenishing water is continued, replenishing water is performed in each treatment tank for several seconds. Alternatively, a setting item such as how many hours after the completion of the replenishing water until the drop of the replenishing liquid level is detected again is considered to be abnormal, or for how long the shortage of the replenishing liquid is replenished, is input. The detection signals from the detection mechanisms A1 to A6, B, C1, C2, C6, D, and E are input to the CPU 11 during operation of the processor. The drive unit 12 drives the transfer mechanism (including P1 to P6 and RP1 to RP3) based on the detection signal and the instruction of the setting item, and an alarm is issued if necessary. The display 1 has a ROM 1
The items stored in No. 4 are displayed, that is, how many hours in the past have not been replenished, how the replenishment is set, and the like. Also, when an alarm is issued, it also displays where the abnormality is.

[0053]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION In the rehydration system of the present invention, a replenishment liquid level detection mechanism is provided for each treatment tank, and water is replenished for each treatment tank. You can check whether it is done.

If the liquid level height is detected by an inexpensive float switch, the initial cost is low and the liquid level height is detected, so that it is not affected by temperature or the like.

Further, it is possible to detect a leak in the processing tank.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a water replenishing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water replenishing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the water replenishing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference symbols] 1 to 6 treatment tanks A1 to A6 replenishment water level detection mechanism P1 to P6 transfer mechanism 7 replenishment tank 8 power switch B replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor for processing a photosensitive material having a plurality of processing tanks, wherein the liquid level of the processing liquid provided in each processing tank is at a replenishment reference position. An automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor comprising a replenishment liquid level detection mechanism for detection, a water replenishment mechanism provided in each processing tank for performing water replenishment, and a control mechanism for controlling the water replenishment mechanism. 2. The control mechanism is configured so as to be able to set a replenishment amount and a replenishment time of each treatment tank.
Automatic water replenisher for the described photo processor. 3. The replenishment mechanism starts replenishment when the control mechanism continues to detect that the treatment liquid level is at the replenishment reference position for a specified time. The automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, which is configured to instruct. 4. The automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to instruct the water replenishing mechanism to replenish water for a fixed period of time specified when the power is turned on. 5. The control mechanism at least when the photosensitive material is processed in each processing liquid tank, when the processing liquid overflows in one or more processing tanks, when the waste liquid is processed,
2. The automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein the replenishing mechanism is instructed to prohibit water replenishment when the water replenishment operation is abnormal or when the water replenishment operation is designated otherwise. 6. The control mechanism simultaneously replenishes water to a plurality of treatment tanks requiring replenishment when there are a plurality of treatment tanks in which the liquid level of the treatment liquid is detected to be at the replenishment reference position. The automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein the water replenishing mechanism is instructed to replenish water. 7. The control mechanism instructs the replenishment mechanism to replenish water in a specified fixed order when there are a plurality of treatment tanks in which the liquid level of the treatment liquid is detected to be at the replenishment reference position. The automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1, which is configured to do so. 8. The water replenishment mechanism comprises a water replenishment tank and a transfer mechanism provided on a water channel connecting the water replenishment tank and each of the processing tanks, and the water replenishment tank includes a water replenishment tank residual amount detection mechanism. 2. The photographic processor according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is provided with an alarm mechanism for issuing a replenishment tank alarm when the replenishment tank remaining amount detection mechanism detects that the amount of water in the replenishment tank is below a set value. Automatic water replenisher. 9. An alarm mechanism for issuing a treatment tank alarm when the control mechanism detects again that the liquid level of the treatment liquid in the same treatment tank is at the reference position for replenishment water within a designated time after the completion of replenishing water. An automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1. 10. The alarm mechanism for issuing a processing tank alarm when the control mechanism detects that the liquid level of the treatment liquid has not reached the designated liquid level when the replenishment water is continued for the designated time. An automatic water replenishing device for a photographic processor according to claim 1.