JPS6131329Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a developer concentration adjusting and replenishing device for a copying machine.

(Prior Art) In a conventionally known copying machine that employs wet development, a single developer replenishment container having a liquid level control valve is placed on one end of a developer tank containing developer. A developer replenishment device is used that automatically replenishes the amount of developer in the tank by controlling the liquid level, so that the liquid level in the tank is always maintained at a constant level. .

However, according to this developer replenishment device,
For example, in the case of a diazo copying machine, the developer consists of coupler and water, and during the copying operation, this developer is carried along with the copy paper and the liquid level in the developer tank is lowered, so the liquid level control action Although there is no problem with the concentration of the developer in the developer tank even if the developer is replenished from the developer supply container,
The moisture in the developer evaporates and the liquid level in the developer tank decreases, so when the developer is replenished from the developer replenishment container by the liquid level control action, the developer concentration in the developer tank becomes high. Therefore, there is a fatal drawback that only a copy image with a dirty background can be obtained at the next copying operation. If you want to perform the copy operation again,
It is always necessary to prepare a new developer of an appropriate concentration and replace the developer, and in some cases, it is necessary to clean the developing device, which has the disadvantage of wasting the developer and requiring troublesome work.

In addition, in the case of an electrophotographic copying machine, the developer consists of toner and carrier liquid, and since the toner and carrier liquid are entrained on the photosensitive paper during the copying operation, the composition of the toner and carrier liquid is mixed into a premix. The toner may be replenished from the developer replenishment container into the developer in the developer tank, but when the copying operation is stopped,
The carrier liquid, which is a volatile component, evaporates and the liquid level in the developer tank decreases, so when the premix toner is replenished by the developer replenishment container, the developer concentration in the developer tank increases. This results in the same drawbacks as in the case of the diazo copier mentioned above.

As mentioned above, in a copying machine that uses wet development, the amount of developer composition that decreases is different during copying operation and when copying operation is stopped, so a single developer composition is replenished by the liquid level control action. With known developer replenishment devices, it is impossible to maintain the developer concentration in the developer tank at any suitable range regardless of whether copying is in progress or when copying is stopped, and this is an important problem to be solved. It was hot.

(Purpose of the invention) The present invention was devised for the purpose of eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks, and its purpose is to always maintain a predetermined amount of developer contained in the developer tank. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer concentration adjusting and replenishing device for a copying machine that maintains the developer concentration within a predetermined appropriate range and always obtains clear copied images.

Another object of the present invention is to enable copying operations to be started immediately after copying has stopped, without the need for troublesome efforts such as readjusting the developer in the developer tank or replacing the developer. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer solution concentration adjustment and replenishment device for a machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine in which the above-mentioned objects are automatically achieved through normal copying machine operations without requiring any special operations by the copying machine operator. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer concentration adjusting and replenishing device.

(Structure of the invention) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides developer replenishment for a copying machine that automatically replenishes the developer using a replenishment container having a liquid level control valve that controls the liquid level according to the decrease in the developer. In the apparatus, the supply container comprises:
a first replenishment container, which is a closed container having an opening through which a liquid level control valve passes and supplies a developer, and contains a liquid a having substantially the same composition as that of the developer consumed during the copying operation; a second replenishment container containing a liquid b consisting of a volatile component of the developer that evaporates during a copying pause, and selectively bringing either one of the first and second replenishment containers into a replenishment state. In order to
A switching mechanism is provided in conjunction with a copying machine operation switch to open the liquid level control valve and enter the supply state when the supply container is tiltably supported, and the liquid level control valve is opened when the supply container is held in the tilted state, and when the copying machine operation switch is connected. At this time, the first replenishment container is held in an inclined state by the switching mechanism to replenish liquid a having substantially the same composition as the developer consumed during the copying operation, and the copying machine operation switch is turned on. In the configuration, when the switching mechanism holds the second replenishment container in an inclined state, the liquid B consisting of volatile components of the developer that evaporates during a copying pause is refilled. This is the characteristic of

(Example) The present invention will be described below based on an example in which the present invention is applied to a developing device of a diazo copying machine shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a developer application roller 2 is provided so as to be partially immersed in the diazo developer contained in the developer tank 1, and a squeezing roller is placed on the roller 2. 3 are arranged in pressure contact to constitute a diazo coating and developing device, and by passing the copy paper between the pair of rollers 2 and 3, a developer is applied to the surface of the copy paper and the copy paper is developed.

The developer tank 1 has curved reservoirs 4, 4' formed on both sides of the pair of rollers 2, 3, and a support plate 5 is attached between the reservoirs 4, 4'. .

Although not shown, the copy paper to be developed is transferred from below the support plate 5 to the pair of rollers 2,
A suitable guide member is provided to be guided between the three.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, plate-shaped container support pieces 6, 6' are fixed on the support plate 5. As shown in FIGS. Each support piece 6, 6' carries two supply containers 7,
The replenishment containers 7, 7' are fitted into respective grooves 8, 8' provided at the bottom of the container support pieces 6, 7', and placed so as to be tiltable using the tips of the container support pieces 6, 6' as fulcrums. Ru.

In the present invention, the first replenishment container contains a developer having substantially the same composition as that consumed during a copying operation, and the second replenishment container contains a developer that evaporates during a copying pause. It is important to contain a liquid consisting of the volatile components of the developer. For this purpose, in the apparatus of this embodiment, a diazo developer a made of a solution of coupler and water is stored in the first supply container 7, and water b is stored in the second supply container 7'. There is. That is, during copying, the developer is consumed as the diazo photosensitive paper is developed, while during copying pauses, only the volatile components in the developer are lost through evaporation. This is because by replenishing the necessary components accordingly, it is possible to maintain a required amount of developer at a constant concentration in the developer tank 1.

The first and second supply containers 7, 7' are connected to a third supply container 7, 7'.
As shown in the figure, the liquid level control valves 9 and 9' penetrate through the
It is a closed container with an opening for supplying the developer.
When these replenishment containers 7 and 7' are tilted and placed in a replenishment state like the first replenishment container 7, for example, the tip of the valve rod 10 of the liquid level control valve 9 is connected to the developer tank 1.
The liquid level control valve 9 is pushed upward against the force of the spring 11, and the liquid level control valve 9 penetrates. As a result, the liquid replenishment path in the first replenishment container 7 opens and enters the replenishment state, and as the developer in the developer tank 1 decreases, the liquid a is replenished, and the developer in the developer tank 1 The surface is always at a constant height.

In addition, since the replenishment container is a closed container through which the liquid level control valve 9 penetrates only when replenishing, there is no loss of volatile components due to evaporation, etc., so the developer, etc. placed in the containers 7, 7' can be maintained at a constant concentration. becomes possible.

In the present invention, it is important to selectively tilt either the first replenishment container 7 or the second replenishment container 7' into the replenishment state, and a switching mechanism is provided for this purpose. . For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a switching mechanism generally designated 12 is attached to the back surface of the support plate 5 by pins 13. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the switching mechanism 12 has two curved actuators 14, 14', and has a shaft 15 fixed to its lower end. Thus, the axis 15
By swinging in the horizontal direction as shown by the arrow, the switching mechanism 12 rotates about the pin 13, and as a result, either one of the actuators 14, 14' is attached to the support plate 5. The rear bottom of the corresponding supply container 7 or 7' is pushed up and exposed through the provided cutout 16, and the rear bottom of the corresponding supply container 7 or 7' is pushed up.
Or, 7' is tilted to be in the replenishment state. At this time,
The other actuator 14' or 14 is in a position where it does not push up the other supply container 7' or 7, and that supply container 7' or 7 is in a non-supplied state. In this connection, the container support piece 6 on the support plate 5,
6' and the cut grooves 8, 8' of the supply containers 7, 7'.
As shown in the figure, by providing the replenishment containers 7, 7' at a position forward of the center of gravity of the replenishment containers 7, 7', that is, at a position on the side of the liquid level control valves 9, 9', the replenishment containers 7, 7'
4 and 14', it is ensured that the non-replenishment state occurs when the bottom is not pushed up.

Further, in the present invention, when the copying machine operation switch is on (ON), the first supply container 7 is in the supply state, and when the switch is off (OFF), the second supply container 7' is in the supply state. The switching mechanism 12 and the copying machine operation switch are interlocked so that the copying machine operation switch is in a replenishing state, that is, the ON-OFF switching operation of the copying machine operation switch and the switching mechanism 12
One of the important features is that it is linked with the switching operation of the supply container.

For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG.
A knob 19 having an operating piece 18 for switching ON/OFF of the SW is slidably provided. A lever 21 having an actuating protrusion 20 fitted into the notch of the actuating piece 18 is pivotally attached to one end of a rotating shaft 22, and the rotating shaft 22 is connected to a plurality of supports fixed to the machine frame F. The lever 21 is slid by the metal fitting 23.
One end presses the actuator 24 of the copying machine operation switch SW to start operation of the copying machine, and the lever 21 rotates the rotation shaft 22 in accordance with the movement of the operating piece 18. There is.

A cam plate 25 is fixed to the other end of the rotation shaft 22, and as shown in FIG.
One end of the operating rod 26 is pivotally connected to the pin 27,
The other end of the operating rod 26 is pivotally connected to the shaft 15 of the switching mechanism 12, so that the switching mechanism 1 is rotated through the operating rod 26 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft 22.
2 is rotated about the pin 13 so that either one of the actuators 14, 14' pushes up the bottom of the corresponding supply container 7 or 7'.

Next, to explain the switching operation of the replenishment container in the device of the present embodiment described above, first, when starting a copying operation, when the knob 19 is slid to the ON side, the copying machine operation switch SW is turned ON, and the copying machine starts. At the same time as the operation is started, the actuator 14 of the switching mechanism 12 touches the bottom of the first supply container 7 as shown in FIG. When pushed up, the replenishment becomes in the replenishment state, and the second replenishment container 7' becomes in the non-replenishment state.

As a result, the copying operation is started and the developer tank 1
Even if the diazo developer a in the developer tank 1 is entrained by the copy paper, the diazo developer a stored in the first replenishment container 7 is automatically replenished by the liquid level control action and the developer in the developer tank 1 is The liquid is maintained at a predetermined amount, and its concentration remains within an appropriate range without changing.

Next, when the knob 19 is slid to the OFF side in order to finish the copying operation and stop the operation of the copying machine, the switch for operating the copying machine is turned off, contrary to the case described above.
The SW is turned OFF, and at the same time, the switching mechanism rotates about the pin 13, and the actuator 14' pushes up the bottom of the second supply container 7', causing the supply container 7' to tilt and enter the supply state. At the same time, the pressure of the actuator 14 is released, and the first supply container 7 enters the non-supply state.

As a result, when the water content of the diazo developer in the developer tank 1 evaporates during a pause in copying, the water b stored in the second replenishment container 7' is automatically replenished by the liquid level control action. Thus, the amount of the developer is maintained at a predetermined amount in the developer tank 1, and its concentration is also maintained within an appropriate range. Therefore, when restarting the copying operation, there is no need to readjust the developer, and even if the copying operation is performed immediately, a clear copied image can always be obtained.

Furthermore, even if the copying operation is stopped for several days, the crystallization of the coupler, which is the case with diazo developer, is prevented, so there is no need to bother with cleaning the developing device when copying is resumed. There will be none.

In addition, in the above-mentioned example device, explanation was given only when applied to a developing device of a diazo copying machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, but can also be effectively applied to a developing device housed in a supply container. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that this can be done.

(Effects of the invention) The present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, so that
Not only can the developer contained in the developer tank be kept at a predetermined amount at all times, but also the concentration of the developer can be maintained within a predetermined appropriate range.
To always obtain a clear copy image even when a copying operation is performed immediately without any troublesome effort such as readjusting the developer in the developer tank, cleaning the developing device, replacing the developer, etc. after stopping copying. There are significant advantages that can be achieved. Moreover, according to the present invention, the switching operation of the supply container is an essential operation for the operation of the copying machine. Since it is linked with the ON/OFF switching operation of the copying machine operation switch, it is extremely convenient in that no special operation is required to switch the supply container.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the developer concentration adjusting and replenishing device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side view, and Fig. 3 is a partial cross section taken along line A-A in Fig. 2. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the switching mechanism of the supply container shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a partially transparent perspective view for explaining the interlocking relationship between the copying machine operating switch and the switching mechanism of the supply container. be. 1... Developer tank, 7, 7'... Supply container, 9,
9'...Liquid level control valve, 12...Switching mechanism, 19...
...Knob, SW...Switch for copying machine operation, a...
Developer, b...A liquid consisting of volatile components of the developer.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] In a developer replenishment device for a copying machine, the developer replenishment device for a copying machine is configured to automatically replenish the developer by a replenishment container having a liquid level control valve that controls the liquid level according to the decrease in the developer, a first replenishment container, which is a closed container having an opening through which a surface control valve passes and supplies a developer, and contains a liquid a having substantially the same composition as a developer consumed during a copying operation; a second replenishment container containing a liquid b consisting of volatile components of the developer that evaporates during rest, and selectively bringing either one of the first and second replenishment containers into a replenishment state. Therefore, the first and second
A switching mechanism is provided in conjunction with a copying machine operation switch to enable the replenishment container to be tilted and to open the liquid level control valve to enter the replenishment state when the supply container is held in the tilted state, and the switching mechanism is provided in conjunction with a copying machine operation switch, and when the copying machine operation switch is connected. When the switching mechanism holds the first replenishment container in an inclined state and replenishes the liquid a having substantially the same composition as that of the developer consumed during the copying operation, the copying machine operation switch is turned on. When the copying is stopped, the second replenishment container is held in an inclined state by the switching mechanism to replenish liquid b, which is made up of a volatile component of the developer that evaporates during a copying pause. Developer concentration adjustment and replenishment device for copying machines.