JPH11305406A - Carrying unit washing device, photosensitive material processor and washing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a carrying unit from being broken or damaged by manual washing, to prevent a carrying trouble from occurring, and to reduce work load and to level the washing deviation. SOLUTION: This device is provided with the carrying unit 6 carrying a recording medium, and provided with a tank 2 housing the carrying unit 6 for an image forming equipment forming an image by carrying the recording medium, a spray nozzle 10 spraying washing liquid toward the carrying unit 6 housed in the tank 2, and a washing liquid circulating and supplying means 11 supplying the washing liquid to the spray nozzle 10 while making it circulate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a transport unit cleaning apparatus, a photosensitive material processing apparatus, and a cleaning method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus, there are a copying machine, a printer, a photosensitive material processing apparatus, and the like. These apparatuses include, for example, a transport unit for transporting a recording medium, and the transport unit transports the recording medium to form an image. . Also, in particular,
In a copying machine, a printer, or the like, a toner that forms an image adheres to a transport unit and may stain a recording medium.

In a photosensitive material processing apparatus, for example, a transport unit (transport rack) in which a photosensitive material is disposed in a processing tank
And the developing process, the processing liquid may adhere to the transport unit. This fixation of the processing liquid may make the rotation of the transport roller impossible, or the fixation may damage the photosensitive material.

[0004]

For this reason, the cleaning of the transport unit is an inspection item. However, the cleaning is basically performed manually by an operator, and the quality of the cleaning varies. In addition, since most of the workers are unskilled workers, cleaning is often insufficient and impossible. This is a cleaning operation within the specified working hours of the worker, and it is often difficult to deal with it in terms of time.

[0005] In addition, a service person regularly performs a patrol to perform maintenance and inspection of a copying machine and a photosensitive material processing apparatus.
Most of the major troubles in these equipments are mainly caused by failures related to the transport unit, but the time and man-hours for periodic inspections and other round trips cannot be responded immediately. In addition, there is no means other than manual work to remove sticking of the toner and the processing liquid, etc.
It takes time depending on the degree of contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is intended to prevent the occurrence of transport troubles and reduce the work load, to level the variation in cleaning, and to prevent the transport unit from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning. It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit cleaning device, a photosensitive material processing device, and a cleaning method.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention has the following constitution.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tank which includes a transport unit for transporting a recording medium, and which accommodates a transport unit of an image forming apparatus which transports the recording medium by the transport unit to form an image. A transport unit cleaning apparatus, comprising: an injection nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid toward the transport unit accommodated in the cleaning unit; and a cleaning liquid circulating supply unit for circulating the cleaning liquid and supplying the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle. ].

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the transport unit housed in the tank to perform cleaning, thereby preventing transport trouble beforehand, reducing the work load, and leveling the variation in cleaning. In addition, it is possible to prevent the transport unit from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method as set forth in the first aspect, wherein a porous polyurethane wall is provided on the inner periphery of the tank, and the transport unit can be housed inside the porous polyurethane wall. Transport unit cleaning device. ].

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by providing the porous polyurethane wall on the inner periphery of the tank, the cleaning liquid can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by heat insulation, and the operation noise of the cleaning can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport unit cleaning apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising: a drying unit for drying the transport unit after cleaning in the tank. ].

According to the third aspect of the invention, by drying the transport unit in the tank, the transport unit can be set to the image forming apparatus immediately after the cleaning.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport unit cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the injection direction of the injection nozzle is variable. 』
It is.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, by changing the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle, each part of the transport unit can be reliably washed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a dirt detecting means for detecting dirt on the cleaning liquid; and a control means for stopping supply of the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined dirt. The transport unit cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: ].

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined stain, the cleaning liquid is stopped, so that the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning condition inputting means for inputting at least a cleaning condition of the type of the transport unit and a degree of contamination, and a supply of the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle based on the input cleaning condition. The transport unit cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control unit that performs the control. ].

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced by performing the cleaning based on the type of the transport unit and the cleaning conditions of the degree of contamination.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a transport unit is disposed in a processing tank, and the transport unit transports a photosensitive material in a processing solution to process the photosensitive material.
A liquid evacuation tank for temporarily retreating the processing liquid in the processing tank during cleaning of the transport unit, a processing liquid evacuation unit that sends the processing liquid in the processing tank to the liquid evacuation tank during cleaning and returns the processing liquid to the processing tank after cleaning, A photosensitive material processing apparatus, comprising: an injection nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid toward a transport unit; and a cleaning liquid circulating supply unit for circulating the cleaning liquid and supplying the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle. ].

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the processing solution in the processing tank is sent to the liquid evacuation tank at the time of cleaning, and is returned to the processing tank after cleaning. And the transport unit can be prevented from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning.

[0022] The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that "a porous polyurethane wall is provided on the inner periphery of the processing tank, and the transport unit can be stored inside the porous polyurethane wall." Photosensitive material processing equipment. ].

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by providing the porous polyurethane wall on the inner periphery of the processing tank, the cleaning liquid can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by heat insulation, and the operating noise of the cleaning can be prevented. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle is variable. ].

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, each part of the transport unit can be reliably cleaned by changing the injection direction of the injection nozzle.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a dirt detecting means for detecting dirt of the cleaning liquid; and a control means for stopping the supply of the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined dirt. Claims 7 to 9
A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to any one of the above. ].

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined stain, the cleaning liquid is stopped, so that the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning condition inputting means for inputting at least a cleaning condition of a type of the transport unit and a degree of contamination, and a supply of the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle based on the input cleaning condition. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a control unit that performs processing. ].

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced by performing the cleaning based on the type of the transport unit and the cleaning conditions of the degree of contamination.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, wherein a transport unit of an image forming apparatus which transports a recording medium by a transport unit to form an image is housed in a tank, and a cleaning liquid is circulated and supplied to an injection nozzle. A cleaning method, characterized in that a cleaning liquid is sprayed toward a transport unit to perform cleaning. ].

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the transport unit housed in the tank to perform cleaning, thereby preventing transport trouble beforehand, reducing the work load, and leveling the variation in cleaning. In addition, it is possible to prevent the transport unit from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a transfer unit is disposed in a processing tank, and the processing unit transfers the processing liquid in a processing tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus which transports and processes a photosensitive material in a processing liquid. At the time of cleaning the unit, it is evacuated once to the liquid evacuation tank, the cleaning liquid is circulated and supplied to the injection nozzle,
A cleaning method, wherein a cleaning liquid is sprayed from a spray nozzle toward a transport unit to perform cleaning. ].

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the processing solution in the processing tank is sent to the liquid evacuation tank at the time of cleaning and returned to the processing tank after cleaning, thereby preventing transport troubles, reducing the work load, and cleaning. And the transport unit can be prevented from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning.

[0034]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning apparatus for a transport unit, a photosensitive material processing apparatus and a cleaning method according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a transport unit cleaning apparatus. The transport unit cleaning apparatus 1 includes a tank 2 and a lid 3 that opens and closes an upper opening of the tank 2. A rotary table 4 is provided in the tank 2, and the rotary table 4 is rotatable by a rotary motor 5. A transport unit 6 of an image forming apparatus that transports a recording medium to form an image is housed in the tank 2, and the transport unit 6 is rotated by a rotary motor 5 by mounting the transport unit 6 on a turntable 4.

A porous polyurethane wall 7 is provided on the inner periphery of the tank 2.
Is provided, so that the transport unit 6 can be housed inside the porous polyurethane wall 7. By providing the porous polyurethane wall 7 on the inner periphery of the tank 2, the cleaning liquid can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by heat insulation, and the operation noise of cleaning can be prevented. Water, warm water or a special solvent may be used as the cleaning liquid.

The transport unit cleaning apparatus 1 has an injection nozzle 10 for spraying the cleaning liquid toward the transport unit 6 housed in the tank 2, and an injection nozzle 10 for circulating the cleaning liquid.
And a cleaning liquid circulating supply unit 11 for supplying the cleaning liquid. The injection nozzle 10 is provided on the lid 3 and the porous polyurethane wall 7 of the tank 2. Cleaning liquid circulation supply means 1
1 is a circulation pump 12, a supply pipe 13, a heater 14
The cleaning liquid is supplied to the injection nozzle 10 via the supply pipe 13 by the driving of the circulation pump 12, and the cleaning liquid is injected from the injection nozzle 10 toward the transport unit 6.

The injection direction of the injection nozzle 10 is variable,
By changing the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle 10, each part of the transport unit 6 can be reliably washed. The cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the transport unit 6 housed in the tank 2 to perform cleaning, thereby preventing transport troubles and reducing the work load, leveling the variation in cleaning, and preventing the transport unit 6 from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning. Can be prevented.
Further, a filter may be provided in the circulation system of the cleaning liquid.

The transport unit cleaning apparatus 1 includes a drying unit 2 for drying the transport unit 6 after cleaning in the tank 2.
The drying unit 20 includes a drying blower 21 and a drying duct 22. The transport unit 6 is dried in the tank 2 after cleaning, so that the transport unit 6 is set in the image forming apparatus immediately after cleaning. be able to. In addition, if hot air, cold air, circulation, or spraying for drying is performed after the cleaning, the cleaning liquid or the like adhered to the rollers or the bearing metal of the transport unit 6 is not added to the image forming apparatus, and the processing liquid is removed. The ill effects of are completely avoided.

The operation unit 30 is provided in the transport unit cleaning apparatus 1.
The rotation motor 5, the circulation pump 12, and the drying blower 21 are controlled by a control unit 31 provided in the operation unit 30. Further, the control unit 31 of the operation unit 30 receives the dirt information of the cleaning liquid, for example, the concentration of the cleaning liquid from the dirt detection unit S1 for detecting the dirt of the cleaning liquid. When the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined dirt, the circulating pump 12 is driven. Then, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle 10 is stopped. By stopping the cleaning liquid when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined stain, the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

The operating section 30 is provided with cleaning condition input means 32, and the cleaning condition input means 32 inputs at least the type of the transport unit 6 and the cleaning conditions for the degree of contamination. The control unit 31 controls the circulation pump 12 based on the input cleaning conditions to adjust the supply of the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle 10. In this manner, by performing cleaning based on the type of the transport unit 6 and the cleaning conditions of the degree of contamination, the cleaning time can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

The control means 31 performs control of the temperature of the cleaning liquid, control of the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid, control of the operation time, and control of the energy saving mode.

In controlling the temperature of the cleaning liquid, the control means 31 drives the heater 14 to adjust the temperature of the cleaning liquid based on the temperature information of the thermistor S2. The cleaning liquid jet flow rate control
The control means 31 controls the excitation voltage of the circulation pump 12 based on the setting of the injection flow rate from the cleaning condition input means 32 to perform the injection flow rate of the cleaning liquid. In the operation time control, the control means 31 stops the operation of the apparatus based on time setting by manual setting or automatic setting from the cleaning condition input means 32.
Also, as described above, when the concentration of the cleaning liquid reaches the predetermined concentration, it is determined that the cleaning has been performed, and the operation of the apparatus is stopped. In the energy saving mode control, prior information is input in advance according to the type of the transport unit 6 to be cleaned and the degree of contamination as described above, and thereby the operation time can be regulated stepwise.

Further, with one transport unit cleaning apparatus 1,
The internal spray nozzle is movable so as to be compatible with various similar developing solutions or image forming equipment such as copying equipment. In particular, it can be intensively sprayed on a portion with a high degree of contamination such as sticking.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for cleaning the transport unit cleaning apparatus. In step a, the cleaning conditions such as temperature control of the cleaning liquid, control of the cleaning liquid injection flow rate, operation time control, temperature, flow rate, timer, and energy saving mode selection for performing the energy saving mode control are set. Next, in step b, the transport unit 6 is housed in the tank 2, placed at a predetermined position, the position of the injection nozzle 10 is set, and cleaning is started (step c). Step d
In step (2), washing is performed by adding a washing liquid, for example, hot water, water, a solvent, etc., and circulating and spraying the washing liquid (step e).

In step f, when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined stain, the circulation pump 12 is driven to stop the supply of the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle 10, and after cleaning, hot air for drying is applied.
Cold air, circulation, and spraying are performed, and the process ends (step g).

The transport unit 6 of the image forming apparatus for forming an image is stored in a tank, the cleaning liquid is circulated and supplied to the spray nozzle 10, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the spray nozzle 10 toward the transport unit 6. By cleaning, the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the transport unit 6 housed in the tank 2 for cleaning, preventing transport trouble beforehand and reducing the work load, leveling the dispersion of the cleaning, and manually transporting the transport unit. Breakage and damage can be prevented.

Then, the work is returned to the equipment body at the time of starting inspection before starting work. By cleaning the transfer unit 6, the transfer of the transfer unit 6 is always stably maintained, troubles can be prevented beforehand, and the number of work steps can be drastically reduced.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view showing another embodiment of the transport unit cleaning apparatus. In this embodiment, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the transport unit 6 is placed vertically, but only in that the transport unit 6 is placed horizontally. Description is omitted.
With the embodiment of FIG. 2, it is difficult to secure a space for the transport unit cleaning apparatus, but since the height is reduced, the capacity of the circulation pump that supplies the cleaning liquid can be reduced accordingly.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a photosensitive material processing apparatus. The photosensitive material processing apparatus 50 of this embodiment includes a developing tank 51, a fixing tank 52, a cleaning tank 53, and a drying unit 54,
A transport unit 55 (transport rack) is disposed in each of the processing tanks of the developing tank 51, the fixing tank 52, and the cleaning tank 53. The transport unit 55 transports the photosensitive material in the processing liquid and processes the photosensitive material.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus 50 includes a liquid evacuation tank 56 for temporarily retreating the processing liquid in each processing tank when the transport unit 55 is washed, and a processing liquid in the processing tank which is sent to the liquid evacuation tank 56 for cleaning, and the processing liquid after cleaning. Treatment liquid evacuation means 57 for returning to the tank
And are provided. The processing liquid retreating means 57 is provided with a return pump 120, and the processing liquid is returned from the liquid retreat tank 56 to the processing tank by driving the return pump 120.

Each processing tank of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 50 has a spray nozzle 5 for spraying a cleaning liquid toward the transport unit 55.
8 and a cleaning liquid circulating supply means 59 for circulating the cleaning liquid and supplying it to the injection nozzle 58. The cleaning liquid circulating supply means 59 includes a circulating pump 60, a supply pipe 61, and a heater 62. When the circulating pump 60 is driven, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the injection nozzle 58 via the supply pipe 61.
The cleaning liquid is sprayed from the spray nozzle 58 toward the transport unit 55.

As described above, the processing solution in the processing tank is sent to the liquid evacuation tank 56 at the time of cleaning, and is returned to the processing tank after cleaning, thereby preventing transport troubles and reducing the work load, and leveling variations in cleaning. The transport unit can be prevented from being damaged or damaged by washing.

Further, a porous polyurethane wall 70 is provided on the inner periphery of the processing tank, and the transfer unit 55 can be housed inside the porous polyurethane wall 70. The cleaning liquid can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by heat insulation. Operating noise can be prevented. The ejection direction of the ejection nozzle 58 is variable, and by changing the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle 58, each part of the transport unit 55 can be reliably washed.

Further, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 includes dirt detecting means S10 for detecting dirt on the cleaning liquid, and control means 80 for stopping the supply of the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined dirt. By stopping the cleaning liquid when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined stain, the cleaning time can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

The operating section 90 is provided with a cleaning condition input means 81, and the cleaning condition input means 81 is used to input at least the cleaning conditions of the type of the transport unit 55 and the degree of contamination. The control means 80 controls the circulation pump 60 based on the input cleaning conditions to adjust the supply of the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle 58. By performing cleaning based on the type of the transport unit 55 and the cleaning conditions of the degree of contamination, the cleaning time can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

As described above, the transport unit 55 is disposed in the processing bath, and the transport unit 55 transports the photosensitive material through the processing solution to process the processing solution in the processing tank of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 50. Sometimes the liquid evacuation tank 5
6, the cleaning liquid is circulated and supplied to the spray nozzle 58, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the spray nozzle 58 toward the transport unit 55 for cleaning. At the time of cleaning, the processing liquid in the processing tank is sent to the liquid evacuation tank 56 for cleaning. By returning the processing unit to the processing tank later, it is possible to prevent a transportation trouble beforehand and to reduce the work load, to level the dispersion of the cleaning, and to prevent the transport unit from being damaged or damaged due to the manual cleaning.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view showing another embodiment in which the photosensitive material processing apparatus is provided with a cleaning device. FIG. 5 (a)
In the embodiment, the cleaning device 100 is provided separately from the photosensitive material processing device 110, but the drive system 101 and the control system 102 of the cleaning device 100
Shared with In the embodiment of FIG.
The cleaning device 100 is provided so as to be able to be taken in and out of the photosensitive material processing device 110. The cleaning device 100 is taken out, the transport rack is extracted from the processing tank, and stored in the tank of the cleaning device 100.
By placing the cleaning device 100 in the photosensitive material processing device 110, it is possible to easily secure an arrangement space and reduce noise.

[0059]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the transport unit for transporting the recording medium is provided, and the transport unit of the image forming apparatus for transporting the recording medium and forming an image is housed by the transport unit. And a cleaning liquid circulating / supplying means for circulating the cleaning liquid and supplying the cleaning liquid to the discharging nozzle, and a jetting nozzle for jetting the cleaning liquid toward the conveying unit stored in the tank. Cleaning can be performed by spraying a cleaning liquid to prevent transport trouble beforehand and reduce the work load, and leveling of cleaning variations can be prevented, so that damage and damage to the transport unit due to manual cleaning can be prevented. It also simplifies after-maintenance and significantly reduces man-hours, reduces the workload of operators (operators), improves the reliability of customers (dealers and users), and standardizes work. Further, it can contribute to stabilization and improvement of image quality.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a porous polyurethane wall is provided on the inner periphery of the tank, a transport unit can be housed inside the porous polyurethane wall, and a porous polyurethane wall is provided on the inner periphery of the tank. By the heat insulation, the cleaning liquid can be maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the operation noise of the cleaning can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the drying unit for drying the transport unit after cleaning is provided in the tank, by drying the transport unit in the tank, the transport unit can be immediately connected to the image forming apparatus after the cleaning. Can be set.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, by changing the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle, each part of the transport unit can be reliably washed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined stain, the cleaning liquid is stopped, so that the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning is performed based on the type of the transport unit and the cleaning conditions of the degree of contamination.
Cleaning time can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the processing solution in the processing tank is sent to the liquid evacuation tank during cleaning in the photosensitive material processing apparatus and returned to the processing tank after cleaning, thereby preventing transport troubles and reducing the work load. , Leveling the variation in cleaning,
The transport unit can be prevented from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by providing a porous polyurethane wall on the inner periphery of the processing tank, the cleaning liquid can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by heat insulation, and the operating noise of the cleaning can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, each part of the transfer unit can be reliably cleaned by changing the injection direction of the injection nozzle in the processing tank.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning liquid in the processing tank becomes a predetermined stain, the cleaning liquid is stopped, so that the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the cleaning time can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced by performing the cleaning based on the type of the transport unit in the processing tank and the cleaning conditions of the degree of contamination.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, cleaning is performed by spraying a cleaning liquid toward the transport unit housed in the tank, thereby preventing transport troubles and reducing the work load, and leveling variations in cleaning, and performing manual cleaning. This can prevent the transport unit from being damaged or damaged.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the processing solution in the processing tank is sent to the liquid evacuation tank at the time of cleaning, and is returned to the processing tank after cleaning, so that transport trouble is prevented beforehand, the work load is reduced, and variations in cleaning are reduced. Leveling can prevent the transport unit from being damaged or damaged due to manual cleaning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transport unit cleaning device.

FIG. 2 is a cleaning flowchart of the transport unit cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the transport unit cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment in which a photosensitive material processing apparatus is provided with a cleaning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveying unit cleaning apparatus 2 Tank 3 Lid 4 Rotating table 5 Rotary motor 6 Conveying unit 7 Porous polyurethane wall 10 Injection nozzle 11 Cleaning liquid circulation supply means 12 Circulation pump 13 Supply pipe 14 Heater

Claims (13)

[Claims] A transport unit for transporting a recording medium;
A tank that houses a transport unit of an image forming apparatus that transports a recording medium by the transport unit to form an image,
A transport unit cleaning apparatus, comprising: an injection nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid toward the transport unit housed in the tank; and a cleaning liquid circulating supply unit for circulating the cleaning liquid and supplying the cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle. 2. The transport unit cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a porous polyurethane wall is provided on the inner periphery of the tank, and the transport unit can be housed inside the porous polyurethane wall. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: drying means for drying the transport unit after cleaning in the tank.
Or the conveying unit cleaning apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The transport unit cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle is variable. 5. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a dirt detecting means for detecting dirt on the cleaning liquid; and a control means for stopping supply of the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle when the cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined dirt. Item 5. A transport unit cleaning apparatus according to any one of Items 4. 6. A cleaning condition input means for inputting at least a cleaning condition of a type of the transport unit and a degree of contamination, and a control means for controlling supply of a cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle based on the input cleaning condition. The transport unit cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 7. A photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a transport unit is disposed in a processing tank, and the photosensitive material is transported in the processing solution by the transport unit to process the photosensitive material. A liquid evacuation tank to be retracted, a processing liquid evacuation unit that sends the processing liquid in the processing tank to the liquid evacuation tank during cleaning and returns to the processing tank after cleaning, and an injection nozzle that injects a cleaning liquid toward the transport unit,
A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: a cleaning liquid circulation / supply unit for circulating a cleaning liquid and supplying the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle. 8. A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a porous polyurethane wall is provided on the inner periphery of said processing tank, and said transport unit can be housed inside said porous polyurethane wall. 9. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the ejection direction of the ejection nozzle is variable. 10. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a dirt detecting means for detecting dirt on said cleaning liquid; and a control means for stopping supply of said cleaning liquid to said spray nozzle when said cleaning liquid becomes a predetermined dirt. Item 10. A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to any one of Items 9. 11. A cleaning condition input means for inputting at least cleaning conditions of the type of the transport unit and the degree of contamination, and control means for controlling supply of a cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle based on the input cleaning conditions. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: 12. A transport unit of an image forming apparatus for forming an image by transporting a recording medium by a transport unit is housed in a tank, a cleaning liquid is circulated and supplied to an ejection nozzle, and the cleaning liquid is directed from the ejection nozzle to the transport unit. A cleaning method characterized by spraying and cleaning. 13. A transport unit is disposed in a processing tank, and the processing unit transports the photosensitive material through the processing solution and processes the processing solution in the processing tank of the photosensitive material processing apparatus during the cleaning of the transport unit. A cleaning method, comprising retreating to a tank, circulating a cleaning liquid, supplying the cleaning liquid to an injection nozzle, and jetting the cleaning liquid from the injection nozzle toward a transport unit for cleaning.