JPH10282625A - Automatic developing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the effect of a heat generated due to the drive of a liquid feeding means, to prevent the deterioration of the processing liquid and to attain the stabilized processing by driving the liquid feeding means when a temp. control means is driven, and intermittently driving the liquid feeding means when the temp. control means is not driven so that the processing liquid may circulate. SOLUTION: By intermittently driving a circulating pump 25 before the circulating pump 25 is driven again after the drive of the circulating pump 25 is stopped, a temp. difference between the developer received in a circulating path and the developer received in a developing processing tank and the temp. change of the developer received in the developing processing tank are suppressed. By controlling the temp. control means (a heater 23 as a liquid heating means, or a liquid cooling means) so that the means may be drive, or not driven, the processing liquid is maintained within the extent of a prescribed temp., and also, by driving the circulating pump 25 functioning as the liquid feeding means when the temp. control means is driven, and by intermittently driving the circulating pump 25 when the temp. control means is not driven, the processing liquid is controlled so as to circulate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic processor for processing light-sensitive materials, and more particularly to temperature control of a processing solution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automatic developing machines are used for black-and-white photosensitive materials (for example,
X-ray film, printing film, black and white photographic film)
In the case of color photosensitive materials (for example, color negative films and color papers), there are color development, bleaching and fixing (or bleaching / fixing, but hereinafter referred to as fixing). , And the solution is referred to as a fixing solution), and is washed with water to process the photosensitive material. In this automatic developing machine, in order to obtain a desired performance, a processing solution contained in each processing tank, in particular, a developing solution (or a color developing solution, hereinafter referred to as a developing solution) is maintained at a predetermined temperature. I am trying to do it. In order to maintain this temperature, the processing liquid conventionally contained in the processing tank is circulated by a circulation pump, and a temperature control means for giving a temperature change to the processing liquid in the circulation path (for example, heating the processing liquid by heating) And an automatic developing machine that drives the circulating pump and the heater in synchronization with each other.

In an automatic developing machine that drives the circulation pump and the heater in synchronization, when the heater is turned off,
There is a problem that the temperature of the processing liquid around the heater rises due to the residual heat of the heater, thereby deteriorating the processing liquid.
As a solution to this problem, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 4-37754 proposes to drive a circulation pump for a predetermined time or until a predetermined temperature is reached after the heater is turned off.

[0004]

However, even if the control described in the above-mentioned publication is performed, there is a problem that a difference occurs between the temperature of the processing liquid in the circulation path and the temperature of the processing liquid in the processing tank. As a result of intensive studies by the present applicant, the present inventors have found that the cause of the temperature difference is the circulation pump. That is, when the circulation pump is driven, heat is generated, and the heat causes a temperature difference. Therefore, regardless of whether the heater and the circulation pump are driven in synchronization or the heater is turned off, the circulation pump is driven for a predetermined time or until the temperature is lowered to a predetermined temperature, the heat generated from the circulation pump after the driving of the circulation pump is stopped. Causes a temperature difference.

Further, there is an automatic developing machine having a mechanism for cooling the processing liquid when the temperature of the processing liquid reaches a predetermined temperature or higher. In the case of this automatic developing machine, heat generated by a circulation pump is used. When the temperature of the processing liquid rises, the cooling mechanism is driven, and a large amount of energy or water is used for cooling.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of heat generated by driving a liquid feeding means (circulation pump), prevent deterioration of a processing liquid, and enable stable processing. Further, in the case of an automatic developing machine having a mechanism for cooling a processing liquid, it is another object to eliminate wasteful consumption of energy for cooling.

[0007]

The above object can be attained by the following means.

(1) A processing tank containing a processing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, a liquid feeding means provided along the circulation path to circulate the processing liquid, And a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the photosensitive material, the temperature control means for controlling the driving and non-drive of the temperature control means to maintain the processing liquid within a predetermined temperature range. At the same time, the liquid supply unit is driven when the temperature control unit is driven, and the liquid supply unit is intermittently driven when the temperature control unit is not driven, so that the processing liquid is circulated. An automatic developing machine characterized by the above-mentioned.

(2) a processing tank containing the processing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, a liquid supply means provided along the circulation path to circulate the processing liquid, An automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material having a temperature control means for giving a temperature change by using a driving heat cooling means for cooling heat generated by driving the liquid feeding means. .

(3) a processing tank containing the processing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, a liquid feeding means provided along the circulation path to circulate the processing liquid, An automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material having a temperature control means for changing the temperature of the photosensitive material, the liquid sending means having a driving unit and a circulating unit for circulating the processing liquid by the driving force of the driving unit. An automatic developing machine further comprising a heat insulating material provided between the driving unit and the circulating unit.

(4) A processing tank for containing a processing liquid whose temperature is controlled, a washing tank for washing the processed photosensitive material with water, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, and a path provided along the circulation path. Liquid supply means for circulating the processing liquid, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the processing liquid, liquid cooling means for cooling the processing liquid using water contained in the washing tank, and heating the processing liquid When the temperature of the processing liquid is lower than or equal to the temperature t1 ° C. by the liquid heating means and the temperature detecting means, the heating means and the liquid sending means are driven to control the heating of the processing liquid, and the processing liquid is controlled by the temperature detecting means. Temperature t2 ° C. (where t2>
t1) At the time or more, in the automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material, the control means for controlling the cooling of the processing liquid by driving the cooling means and the liquid sending means to maintain the temperature of the processing liquid. Wherein the control means intermittently drives the liquid sending means when the temperature of the processing liquid detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than the temperature t1 ° C. when there is no water in the washing tank. apparatus.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the automatic developing machine 10. Note that this automatic developing machine 10 uses X
A line film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) is developed.

In the automatic developing machine 10, a developing tank 11 for performing a developing process on the film, a fixing tank 12 for performing a fixing process on the developed film, a washing tank 13 for washing the fixed film with water, and And a drying unit 14 for drying the washed film. The developing tank 11 contains a developing solution, the fixing tank 12 contains a fixing solution, and the washing tank 13 contains water.

Further, transport rollers 111 and 121, which are transport means for transporting the film, are provided in each of the development processing tank 11, the fixing processing tank 12, and the washing tank 13 as processing tanks.
131 are provided. The drying unit 14 includes a transport roller 141 for transporting the film, and a drying nozzle 142 for blowing hot air onto the film transported by the transport roller 141. A squeeze unit 15 is provided between the rinsing tank 13 and the drying unit 14, and the squeeze roller 151 conveys the film, which has been sent from the rinsing tank 13 and has water attached thereto, to the drying unit 14 while squeezing.

When a film is processed by the automatic developing machine 10, an X-ray film inserted from an insertion port (not shown) is conveyed by conveying rollers 111, 121 and 131.
The developer is conveyed sequentially through the developing tank 11, the fixing tank 12, and the washing tank 13, where the developing processing, the fixing processing, and the washing are performed. You.

It is to be noted that overflow tanks 112, 122 and 132 (not shown) are provided adjacent to the developing processing tank 11, the fixing processing tank 12, and the washing tank 13 as processing tanks, respectively. The liquid level is kept at a predetermined level. Further, the developing processing tank 11 and the fixing processing tank 1
A replenishing tank (not shown) and a replenishing pump (not shown) for replenishing the developing solution, the fixing solution, and the water in the washing tank 13 and the washing tank 13 are provided, respectively. When a drop in the level of the processing liquid contained in the processing tanks 11 and 12 and the washing tank 13 is detected by a liquid level sensor (not shown) provided in the tank 13, the replenishing pump is driven to supply the replenishing liquid. It is configured to replenish. The replenisher is also replenished depending on the film processing area.

Further, adjacent to the developing tank 11, the fixing tank 12 and the washing tank 13, an overflow tank 112,
Emergency tanks 116, 126, and 136 (not shown) are provided so that overflow can occur even when the blocks 122 and 132 are clogged.

The temperature control of the processing solution of the automatic developing machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pipe of the automatic developing machine 10 for controlling the temperature of the processing liquid. Since the temperature control of the fixing solution stored in the fixing tank 12 is the same, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the temperature of the developing solution stored in the developing processing tank 11 is controlled.

In the automatic developing machine 10 for photosensitive materials, in order to obtain a desired processing performance, the processing liquid (developing liquid and fixing liquid, especially developing liquid) contained in the processing tank is strictly adjusted to a predetermined temperature. Need to be maintained. For this purpose, a circulation path 11 communicated with a processing tank (hereinafter, also referred to as a developing processing tank 11).
3 is provided, and a circulation pump 25 is provided on the way of the circulation path 113 as a liquid sending means for circulating a processing liquid (hereinafter also referred to as a developer) in the circulation path 113. Therefore, the developer stored in the developing tank 11 is
The circulating pump 25 returns to the developing tank 11 again through the circulating path 113 (a part of which is shown) and circulates.

In the middle of the circulation path 113, a temperature control tank 20 is provided as a temperature adjusting means for controlling the temperature of the processing solution, and this temperature control tank 20 communicates with the development processing tank 11 through the circulation path 113. It is configured to do. Temperature control tank 20
Has a temperature sensor 21 which is a temperature detecting means for measuring the temperature of the processing liquid (developing liquid) to be temperature-controlled, and a temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the developing liquid based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor 21. doing. That is, the temperature control means is a means for giving a temperature change to the processing liquid. In the present embodiment, as the temperature control means, a heater 23 which is a liquid heating means for heating the developer and a U-shaped cooling pipe 22 which is a part of the liquid cooling means for cooling the developer are provided with a temperature. It is provided in the preparation tank 20.

Here, the details of the piping will be described.
Tube 31 having one end communicating with the bottom of overflow tank 132
1 is connected, and a branch pipe 312 is provided at the other end of the pipe 311. A pipe 313 is connected to one of the branch pipes 312, and a pipe 314 is connected to the other. The other end of the pipe 313 is connected to the cooling pipe 22, and the other end of the pipe 314 is connected to the cooling solenoid valve 3.
5 is connected. Further, a pipe 315 is connected to the other end of the cooling pipe 22 to which the pipe 313 and the cooling pipe 22 are connected, so that the water can be drained out of the machine via the junction pipe 316. Further, a pipe 317 is connected to the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 so that the water can be drained out of the apparatus via a junction pipe 318. Therefore, the overflow tank 132 → the pipe 31
1 → branch pipe 312 → pipe 313 → cooling pipe 22 → pipe 315 →
By flowing water through the junction pipe 316, the developer in the temperature control tank 20 can be cooled. That is, in the present embodiment, in order to cool the developer by the cooling pipe 22, the water contained in the washing tank 13 is
Utilizes water that overflows to 2. When the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is closed, the overflowed water can flow from the branch pipe 312 to the pipe 313 to perform cooling, and when the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is opened, the overflowed water can be cooled. The water flows from the pipe 312 to the pipe 314 and can be drained outside the machine without cooling. In other words, the pipe 311, the branch pipe 312, the pipe 313, the cooling pipe 22, the pipe 315, the merging pipe 316, and the cooling solenoid valve 35
Constitute a liquid cooling means for cooling the developer.

On the other hand, a pipe 321 having one end connected to the bottom of the washing tank 13 is connected, and a drain electromagnetic valve 36 is connected to the other end of the pipe 321. A pipe 322 is connected, and a junction pipe 316 is connected to the other end of the pipe 322. Therefore, the washing tank 13 →
Pipe 321, drainage solenoid valve 36, pipe 322, merge pipe 316
, The water in the washing tank 13 can be drained. That is, by opening the electromagnetic valve 36 for drainage, water flows from the bottom of the washing tank 13 to the outside of the machine, and the water in the washing tank 13 can be drained. A pipe 323 is provided between the bottom of the emergency tank 136 and the merging pipe 318 so as to connect them, so that water overflowing in the emergency tank 136 can always be drained outside the machine. .

In the present embodiment, a U-shaped cooling pipe 22 is arranged in the temperature control tank 20 as a liquid cooling means for cooling the developing solution. Not limited to this, a spiral tube may be used.
A tube wound around 0 may be used as long as the developer can be cooled by heat exchange without mixing with the developer in the temperature control tank 20. Further, in the present embodiment, the water that overflows from the washing tank 13 is used for cooling the processing liquid, but the water in the washing tank 13 may be directly used, and the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a liquid cooling unit using a cooling fan or the like may be used. In the present embodiment,
Although piping was performed as shown in FIG. 2, without being limited to this,
Needless to say, it can be appropriately performed.

Here, the control of the temperature control means (liquid heating means and liquid cooling means) and the liquid sending means will be briefly described. In this embodiment, as described above, what is controlled as the temperature control means is the heater 23 and the cooling electromagnetic valve 3.
5 is controlled by the circulation pump 25. Further, a signal from the temperature sensor 21 is input to control means (not shown), and the control means
The circulating pump 25, the heater 23, and the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 are controlled based on the information obtained from.

When the power of the automatic developing machine 10 is turned on, that is, the processing liquid (hereinafter, the developing liquid will be described, but the same is applied to the fixing liquid) is temperature-controlled (the predetermined temperature is maintained). The temperature of the developer detected by the temperature sensor 21 is equal to the temperature t.
If the temperature is 1 ° C. or less (preferably, the temperature of the developer is not more than the optimum temperature for obtaining the desired performance and is not less than the lower limit of the allowable range of the temperature of the developer for obtaining the desired performance), The means drives the heater 23 to heat the developer. When the heater 23 is driven, the heater 23 is controlled at a predetermined duty ratio (on / off ratio of the heater 23) in accordance with the temperature of the developer (temperature t1 ° C. or lower) detected by the temperature sensor 21. Is also good. Therefore, if the temperature is higher than the temperature t1 ° C., the heater 23 is not driven (not driven).

When the temperature of the processing solution is controlled, the temperature of the developing solution detected by the temperature sensor 21 becomes equal to the temperature t.
2 (preferably, a temperature that is equal to or higher than the optimum temperature of the developer for obtaining the desired performance and equal to or lower than the upper limit of the allowable range of the temperature of the developer for obtaining the desired performance, and t2> t1. If the temperature is not more than (° C.), the control means drives (closes and cools) the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 which has been opened to drain the water in the overflow tank 132 to the outside of the apparatus. Then, the water in the overflow tank 132 flows into the cooling pipe 22. Thereby, the temperature control tank 20
Water is supplied to the (cooling pipe 22) to cool the developer in the temperature control tank 20. Therefore, if the temperature is lower than the temperature t2 ° C., the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is not driven (the valve is not opened, and the cooling is not performed. When the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is being driven, water is supplied to the washing tank 13 by a water supply means (not shown).

In this way, the control means drives the heater 23 and the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 so that the temperature of the developing solution falls within the predetermined temperature range. On the other hand, when the control unit is operating the heater 23 and the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 (that is, the temperature of the developer is equal to or lower than t1 ° C., and
℃ or more), the circulation pump 2
5 is continuously driven to circulate the developer, and the developing tank 11 is
The temperature difference in the inside and the non-uniformity of the temperature difference with the temperature control tank 20 are eliminated. The control means is configured to stop the circulating pump 25 after turning off the heater 23 or after a predetermined time has passed since the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is closed, so that the residual heat of the heater 23 and the cooling pipe 22 is This can eliminate the temperature difference between the inside of the developing tank 11 and the inside of the temperature control tank 20 caused by the above.

Accordingly, when the temperature of the developing solution drops too much below t1 ° C. in the temperature control tank 20, the heater 23 is driven (it may be turned on at a duty ratio corresponding to the temperature of the developing solution).
When the temperature of the developing solution rises excessively to t2 ° C. or more, the developing solution is cooled by the cooling pipe 22 and circulated between the developing tank 11 and the temperature adjusting tank 20 by the circulation pump 25, and is cooled by a predetermined amount. Maintained within the temperature range.

When such control is performed (when the temperature of the developer is higher than t1 ° C. and lower than t2 ° C.), the temperature of the developer in the circulation system and the temperature of the developer in the developing tank 11 The problem that a difference arises arises. about this,
As a result of intensive studies by the present applicant, it has been found that the cause of this temperature difference is the circulation pump 25. That is, when the circulating pump 25 is driven, heat is generated. Due to this heat, heat is transferred to the developer even after the driving of the circulating pump is stopped, and a temperature difference is generated.

This situation will be described with reference to FIG. 3, which shows a temperature transition after the drive of the circulation pump 25 is stopped. FIG.
3A shows the temperature difference between the developer in the circulation system and the inside of the developing tank 11, and FIG. 3B shows the temperature change of the developing solution in the developing tank 11, and FIG. () Shows the driving / non-driving of the circulation pump 25. In FIG. 3, the solid line is the intermittent drive of the circulation pump 25 of the present invention, the one-dot chain line is the non-drive of the conventional circulation pump 25, and the dotted line is the circulation pump 2.
5 shows a case where the continuous driving is performed.

As can be seen from the figure, after the circulation pump 25 is not driven (the time is 0 (zero) in FIG. 3), the circulation pump 25 is synchronized with the heater 23 or the cooling electromagnetic valve 35. Irrespective of whether the circulation pump 25 is driven for a predetermined time or until a predetermined temperature is reached after the heater 23 or the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is not driven, the point is that the circulation pump 25 is not driven. ),
Next, until the circulation pump 25 is driven (until the temperature of the developer becomes t1 ° C. or lower or t2 ° C. or higher)
When the circulation pump 25 is not driven as in the related art (the dashed line in FIG. 3), the temperature of the developer in the developing tank 11 does not change, but the developer in the circulation path (especially, the vicinity of the circulation pump 25) The temperature difference between the developing solution in the developing tank 11 and the developing solution in the developing tank 11 increases with the passage of time, deteriorating the developing solution.

Conversely, during the period from when the driving of the circulating pump 25 is not driven to when the circulating pump 25 is driven next (until the temperature of the developing solution becomes t1 ° C. or lower or t2 ° C. or higher), When the pump 25 is driven continuously (dotted line in FIG. 3), there is no temperature difference between the developer in the circulation path (particularly, the developer near the circulation pump 25) and the developer in the development processing tank 11. Since the temperature change of the developing solution in the developing tank 11 increases with time, the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 is driven to cool the developing solution, and a large amount of energy or water is used for cooling. Will be.

On the other hand, the present embodiment (the present invention)
Then, from when the circulation pump 25 is not driven until when the circulation pump 25 is driven next (when the temperature of the developing solution is t1)
If the circulation pump 25 is intermittently driven (until the temperature falls below t2 ° C. or exceeds t2 ° C.) (solid line in FIG. 3), the developer in the circulation system (particularly the developer near the circulation pump 25) and the developing process The temperature difference between the developing solution in the tank 11 and the temperature change in the developing solution in the developing tank 11 can be minimized.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the temperature control means (the heater 23 serving as the liquid heating means or the liquid cooling means) is driven and non-driven so that the processing liquid falls within a predetermined temperature range. While the temperature control unit is being driven, the circulating pump 25 serving as the liquid sending unit is driven, and when the temperature control unit is not driven, the circulating pump 25 is intermittently driven to circulate the processing liquid. By controlling so as to reduce the influence of heat generated by driving the circulating pump 25, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid from deteriorating, to enable stable processing, and to use energy (water) for cooling. ) Can be wasted.

Further, the intermittent drive of the circulation pump 25 is preferably performed at a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio. This cycle is preferably 1 minute or more and 10 minutes or less. This is because, by setting the cycle to 1 minute or longer, the driving time of the circulation pump 25 can be sufficiently provided, the processing liquid can be circulated, and the processing liquid can be made uniform (eliminating the temperature difference). By setting the time to 10 minutes or less, the non-driving time of the circulation pump 25 is not extended, and this is a practical range in which a temperature difference can be prevented. Further, it is preferable that the duty ratio in the cycle be 2% or more and 20% or less. By setting the duty ratio to 2% or more, the circulating pump 25 is driven to circulate the processing liquid, thereby making the processing liquid uniform (eliminating the temperature difference), and the duty ratio to 20% or less. The circulation pump 25
This is a practical range in which the temperature difference can be prevented without prolonging the non-driving time. The intermittent drive in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram when a cycle is 200 seconds and a duty ratio is 5%.

The automatic developing machine 10 according to the present embodiment
Has a night standby mode. This is because, at night, the control means controls (opens) the drain solenoid valve 36 to drain the water contained in the washing tank 13 (automatic drain), and once the water in the washing tank 13 is emptied, the water is washed. The scale generated in the tank 13 is removed, and the washing tank 13 is dried. At this time, although the water level in the washing tank 13 is reduced, water is not supplied. After that, the drain valve 36 is closed, water is supplied into the washing tank 13, and the water is stored.

The automatic developing machine 10 according to the present embodiment can be used even during the automatic drainage in the night standby mode.
The developer (including the fixing solution) needs to maintain a predetermined temperature. This is because the automatic developing machine 10 of the present embodiment is an automatic developing machine for X-ray film, so even if a situation arises in which the photosensitive material needs to be processed urgently, it is necessary to respond quickly. Because there is.

The control of the temperature control means (liquid heating means and liquid cooling means) and the liquid sending means in the night standby mode will be briefly described. If the temperature of the developing solution detected by the temperature sensor 21 is equal to or lower than the temperature t1 ° C., the control unit drives the heater 23 to heat the developing solution and also drives the circulation pump 25 as described above. On the other hand, if the temperature of the developing solution detected by the temperature sensor 21 is equal to or higher than t2 ° C., the control means drives the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 to cool the developing solution (normally). At the time of automatic drainage, since there is no water in the washing tank 13 for cooling, the cooling electromagnetic valve 35 (liquid cooling means) is not driven. Further, in this case, the control means is the circulation pump 2
When 5 is driven continuously, a vicious cycle occurs in which the temperature of the developing solution further rises due to the heat generated by the driving.

For this purpose, in the present embodiment, when the automatic drainage in the night standby mode is performed, that is, when there is no water in the washing tank 13, the temperature of the processing solution detected by the temperature sensor 21 is reduced to the temperature t1. When the temperature is not lower than ° C., the circulation pump 25 is intermittently driven. Thereby, when the circulation pump 25 is stopped, it is possible to prevent a temperature difference due to heat generated from the circulation pump 25 from increasing, and to prevent deterioration of the developer. Note that the preferable period and duty ratio of the intermittent driving are the same as those described above, and thus description thereof will be omitted.
In the present embodiment, the temperature at which the circulation pump 25 is intermittently driven is set to a temperature t1 ° C. or higher at which the heater 23 is not driven, but may be set to a temperature t2 ° C. or higher.

(Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the above-described first embodiment, the influence of the heat generated by the circulation pump 25 is reduced by intermittently driving the circulation pump 25, but in the present embodiment, the heat generated by the circulation pump 25 is reduced. It is configured to cool directly. The circulating pump 25 of the present embodiment described below is used instead of the control of the intermittent drive of the first embodiment, or the circulating pump 25 of the present embodiment is used in the first embodiment. be able to. Accordingly, in the following description, the circulating pump 2 which is different from the first embodiment described above will be described.
Only 5 will be described.

The circulating pump 25 includes a motor 2 serving as a driving unit.
51, and a propeller 252 that is a circulating unit that circulates the processing liquid (developer) by the driving force of the motor 251. Therefore, when the motor 251 is energized, the motor 251 rotates, and this rotational force is transmitted to the propeller 252, and the rotation of the propeller 252 allows the developer to circulate in the circulation path. At this time, when the motor 251 is energized, an internal coil (not shown) generates Joule heat, and this heat causes a temperature difference as described above.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the circulation pump 2
In order to cool the heat generated by the driving of the fifth pump 5, a cooling pipe 253 serving as a driving heat cooling means is spirally wound around the circulation pump 25 on the motor 251 as a heat generating source. Then, cooling water (for example, water in the washing tank 13 or a replenisher for replenishing the processing tank) may flow into the cooling pipe 253, and the cooling water and the circulation pump 25 exchange heat. Thereby, the heat generated by the circulation pump 25 is radiated, and the temperature difference between the developing solution in the circulation path and the processing solution in the developing tank 11 can be eliminated, thereby preventing deterioration of the solution and enabling stable processing. It can be.

In the above-mentioned example, the cooling pipe 253 is wound around the circulation pump 25, and the cooling liquid passes around the circulation pump 25. However, as shown in FIG. Cooling pipe 253
May be provided. As a means for cooling the circulation pump 25, a heat pump that compresses and expands the refrigerant in a closed loop pipe capable of exchanging heat with the circulation pump 25, absorbs heat from the circulation pump 25, and releases heat to the replenisher, washing water, or the atmosphere. May be provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of providing the cooling pipe 253 in the circulation pump 25 described above (or additionally), a motor 251 and a propeller 252 are provided.
May be provided with a heat insulating material 254 having a heat insulating action.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the heat generated by the circulation pump 25 is directly cooled (FIGS. 4 and 5) or the generated heat is hardly transmitted to the developer (FIG. 6). Accordingly, the influence of heat generated by driving the circulation pump 25 can be reduced, the processing liquid can be prevented from deteriorating, stable processing can be performed, and wasteful consumption of energy (water) for cooling can be achieved. Can be eliminated.

In the first and second embodiments described above, cooling of the developing solution has been described because strict temperature control is required. However, cooling of the fixing solution can be performed in the same manner. In the above description, an automatic developing machine for X-ray films has been described. However, the present invention relates to black-and-white photosensitive materials (for example, X-ray films, printing films, black-and-white photographic films), and color photosensitive materials (for example, The present invention can also be applied to an automatic processor for processing color negative film and color paper.

[0047]

As described above, in the present invention, the influence of heat generated by driving the liquid feeding means (circulation pump 2) is reduced, the deterioration of the processing liquid is prevented, and stable processing is enabled. In addition, unnecessary consumption of energy (water) for cooling can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic developing machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pipe of an automatic developing machine for controlling a temperature of a processing solution.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a temperature transition after driving of a circulation pump is stopped.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circulation pump according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circulating pump according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circulating pump according to a modification of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic developing machine 11 Developing tank 12 Fixing tank 13 Rinse tank 20 Temperature control tank 21 Temperature sensor (Temperature detecting means) 22 Cooling pipe (Liquid cooling means) 23 Heater (Liquid heating means) 25 Circulation pump (Liquid feeding means) 35 Solenoid valve for cooling (liquid cooling means) 113 Circulation path 251 Motor (drive unit) 252 Propeller (circulation unit) 253 Cooling pipe (drive heat cooling means) 254 Thermal insulation

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A processing tank containing a processing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, a liquid feeding means provided along the circulation path and circulating the processing liquid, A temperature control means for providing a temperature change, and an automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material having the temperature control means, wherein the temperature control means is controlled to be driven or non-driven so that the processing liquid is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. Controlling the liquid supply means to be driven when the temperature control means is being driven, and the liquid supply means being intermittently driven when the temperature control means is not being driven to circulate the processing liquid. An automatic developing machine characterized by the following. 2. A processing tank containing a processing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, a liquid feeding means provided on the way of the circulation path and circulating the processing liquid, What is claimed is: 1. An automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material, comprising: a temperature adjusting means for providing a temperature change; and a driving heat cooling means for cooling heat generated by driving the liquid feeding means. 3. A processing tank containing a processing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, a liquid feeding means provided on the way of the circulation path and circulating the processing liquid, In an automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material having a temperature control unit for giving a temperature change, the liquid sending unit includes a driving unit, and a circulating unit for circulating the processing liquid by a driving force of the driving unit. An automatic developing machine, wherein a heat insulating material is provided between the drive unit and the circulation unit. 4. A processing tank for storing a processing liquid whose temperature is controlled, a washing tank for washing the processed photosensitive material with water, a circulation path communicating with the processing tank, and provided in the middle of the circulation path. A liquid sending means for circulating the processing liquid; a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the processing liquid; a liquid cooling means for cooling the processing liquid using water contained in the washing tank; and a liquid for heating the processing liquid. A heating unit, when the temperature of the processing liquid is equal to or lower than the temperature t1 ° C. by the temperature detection unit, the heating unit and the liquid sending unit are driven to perform heating control of the processing liquid, and the processing liquid is controlled by the temperature detection unit. When the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature t2 ° C. (where t2> t1), there is provided control means for controlling the cooling of the processing liquid by driving the cooling means and the liquid sending means to maintain the temperature of the processing liquid. In the automatic developing machine for processing the processed photosensitive material, Stage, when said temperature of the treatment liquid detected by the temperature detecting means when the washing tank is no water is above the temperature t1 ° C., an automatic developing apparatus is characterized in that intermittently drives the liquid feeding means.