JP3467132B2 - Plumbing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply / drainage device for supplying excess water to a water storage tank at a predetermined timing and overflowing and discharging excess water. 2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic developing apparatus, an image-exposed photosensitive material is immersed in a processing solution such as a developing solution or a fixing solution to be processed, and then immersed in washing water to wash the photosensitive material. This is subjected to a drying treatment. Processing solutions such as a developing solution and a fixing solution used in such an automatic developing apparatus are deteriorated due to processing or oxidation of the photosensitive material, and the processing performance is reduced. For this reason,
In an automatic developing apparatus, a replenisher is replenished by a replenisher at a predetermined timing (for example, every predetermined time or every time a predetermined amount of photosensitive material is processed), thereby preventing the processing performance of the developing solution and the fixing solution from lowering. I have. On the other hand, the washing water stored in the washing tank is
It is gradually stained by components in the processing solution washed off from the surface of the photosensitive material. In an automatic developing device, water is supplied by a water supply device, dirty water in a washing tank is overflowed and discharged, and the water in the washing tank is kept fresh. [0004] By the way, water contains bacteria, molds, and the like, and the bacteria, molds, and the like proliferate to produce water rust, "slime" and water algae. Water algae gradually propagates and spreads in the tank, or propagates inside the pipes for draining overflow water, thereby deteriorating the flow of water in the pipes and causing clogging of the pipes (drain pipes). Sometimes. In particular, it is provided adjacent to the washing tank,
The water flowing into the overflow tank that receives the water overflowing from the washing tank and the drainage pipe connected to the overflow tank is temporarily stored in the washing tank, and at least a part of the water is contained in the automatic developing device. The inside of the apparatus is relatively warm because the (for example, the drying section) is heated, and the water stored in the washing tank is under conditions suitable for the growth of water algae and water rust. If water algae and the like proliferate in the overflow tank or the drainage pipe and the flow of water discharged from the washing tank is deteriorated or the drainage pipe is clogged, water supply to the washing tank is continued without being noticed. However, the water level in the overflow tank is gradually increased without being discharged, and eventually the water level in the washing tank rises and flows into an adjacent fixing tank, thereby deteriorating the processing performance of the fixing solution. Alternatively, there arises a problem that water overflows from the washing tank and flows into the inside of the apparatus, thereby contaminating the floor around the automatic developing apparatus. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and overflows and discharges surplus water while supplying water to a water storage tank such as a washing tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply / drainage device that prevents water from overflowing from a water storage tank due to lack of smooth discharge. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a water supply means for supplying water to a water storage tank, and discharging excess water in the water storage tank with an over- opening formed by a drain pipe connected to the bottom. the Rukoto overflow into <br/> flow tank, a plumbing device for draining from the O <br/> bar flow tank through the drain pipe, whether the are water accumulated in the overflow tank Detecting means for detecting, and a detecting result of the detecting means.
Water supply control means for controlling the operation of the water supply means according to the result
When, wherein the water supply control means, depending on the detection means
The water in the overflow tank continuously for a predetermined time or more.
The water supply means is stopped when it is detected . According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a decrease in drainage capacity by providing a detection means in an overflow tank where water should not normally accumulate and detecting whether or not water has accumulated in the overflow tank. Be able to
I have . Also, check that water has accumulated in the overflow tank.
When it comes out, the water supply control means that controls the operation of the water supply means
Stops the water supply means. As a result, the drainage capacity is reduced.
To detect the occurrence of water algae etc. in drainage pipes
Can be. In addition, since the water supply is stopped, the water is
-It is possible to discharge excess water due to bar flow.
Water storage by keeping water supply impossible
It is possible to prevent the tank from overflowing with water.
Wear. In the present invention as described above , the detecting means is constituted by using the electrodes, and when the space between the electrodes becomes conductive for a predetermined time or more, water is supplied into the overflow tank. You can judge that it has accumulated. Thereby, when the water flowing into the overflow tank from the water storage tank adheres and the electrodes are instantaneously brought into a conductive state, it is possible to prevent the erroneous determination that the water is stored in the overflow tank,
It is possible to accurately determine whether or not water is accumulated in the overflow tank. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an automatic developing apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied. Automatic developing device 10
After immersing the film 20, which is an example of a photosensitive material, in a developing solution, a fixing solution, and washing water, a drying process is performed. The automatic developing apparatus 10 includes a processing solution processing section 11 and a drying section 50 in a machine frame 12. The processing liquid processing section 11 is provided with a developing tank 14 for storing a developing solution, a fixing tank 16 for storing a fixing solution, and a washing tank 18 for storing water for washing (hereinafter referred to as “washing water”). . The developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 1 of the processing liquid processing section 11
6. A plurality of transport rollers 22, 26, 3
The transport racks 24, 28, and 32 each having 0 are disposed and immersed in a developing solution, a fixing solution, and washing water. Further, in the machine frame 12, a film 20 is disposed near the insertion slot 15.
There is provided an insertion sensor 80 for detecting insertion of the film and an insertion rack 17 for drawing in the film 20 inserted from the insertion opening 15. A crossover rack 34 having a transport roller 36 and a guide 38 is provided between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 and between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18. The film 20 inserted from the insertion opening 15
Is drawn in by the insertion rack 17 and sent to the processing liquid processing section 11 where the transport rollers 2
The developer is conveyed by the rotational drive of 2, 26, and 30,
The film is sequentially immersed in a fixing solution and washing water to undergo development, fixing, and washing processes. A squeeze roller 42 for squeezing and transporting the film 20 is provided between the washing tank 18 and the drying section 50.
And a guide 43 for guiding the film 20 toward the drying unit 50, a squeeze rack 40 is provided. In the automatic developing device 10, the film 20 sent from the washing tank 18 is guided to the drying unit 50 while squeezing the surface water by the squeeze roller 42. The drying unit 50 includes a pair of side plates 54 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1). Are formed. A drying turn section 48 is provided at the lower end of the pair of side plates 54 to change the transport direction of the film 20 transported by the transport roller 44 and the heat roller 60, and
2 is discharged to a receiving box 52 provided in the apparatus. The heat roller 60 is provided with a heat source such as a halogen lamp which is long in the axial direction along the axial direction, and the peripheral portion is heated to a predetermined temperature by turning on the halogen lamp. . The film 20 conveyed in the drying unit 50 is heated and dried from the surface by contacting the heat roller 60. A blowing pipe 47 is provided between the pair of side plates 54 so as to sandwich the conveying path of the film 20.
Dry air at a predetermined temperature generated by a heater and a drying fan (not shown) in the dry air generating section 45 is supplied to the blow-out pipe 47 through a chamber 49. The blowing pipe 47 blows the drying air onto the surface of the film 20 to remove air containing moisture evaporated from the film 20 heated by the heat roller 60 from near the surface of the film 20, thereby drying the film 20. Facilitate. Incidentally, in the automatic developing apparatus 10, the developing tank 14,
Each of the fixing tanks 16 is replenished with a replenishing solution to prevent the processing performance of the developing solution and the fixing solution from deteriorating. In the automatic developing apparatus 10, the washing tank 18 is supplemented with washing water to prevent the washing water from being stained and the liquid level from being lowered by washing the film 20. By replenishing the water in the washing tank 18, excess water in the washing tank 18 overflows from the washing tank 18 and is discharged. FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a water supply / drainage device 56 for replenishing water to the washing tank 18 and discharging excess water in the washing tank 18. The developing tank 14
The replenisher is replenished to the fixing tank 16 by a replenisher replenishing mechanism (not shown). The developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16
As the replenisher replenishing mechanism, a conventionally known general mechanism can be used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a water supply pipe 58 of the water supply / drainage device 56 is connected to a pipe of tap water outside the automatic developing apparatus 10 so that the automatic developing apparatus 1 can be connected from outside the apparatus.
Tap water is supplied as water within 0. This water pipe 58
Is branched into pipes 62 and 64, and each pipe 6
2, 64 are provided with solenoid valves 66 for opening and closing the pipes,
68 are attached. These solenoid bubbles 66, 68 are connected to a controller 70. The controller 70 includes a CPU, an RO,
A microcomputer (not shown) including an M, a RAM, and the like (both not shown) is provided. The controller 70 is connected with an operation panel 72 (see FIG. 1) provided on the machine frame 12 of the automatic developing apparatus 10, an insertion sensor 80, and the like. The controller 70 controls not only the water supply / drainage device 56 described below, but also the developing tank 1.
4. Collectively controlling the operation of the automatic developing device 10 including the replenishing solution replenishing mechanism of the fixing tank 16, the circulating mechanism of the developing solution and the fixing solution, the control of the drying unit 50, and the transporting means for transporting the film 20. are doing. The operation panel 72 connected to the controller 70 is used for various setting operations for appropriately finishing the film 20 together with displaying the operation and operation state of the automatic developing apparatus 10. The pipe 64 is connected to a water tank (not shown) provided inside the automatic developing apparatus 10, and the controller 70 operates the solenoid valve 68 to open the pipe to supply water to the water tank. The water stored in the water tank is used to dilute the developing replenisher and the fixing replenisher, which are supplied as replenishers to the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, respectively.
6 and the guide 38, and for cooling a heat exchanger (not shown) used for heating to a predetermined temperature while circulating the developing solution and the fixing solution, respectively. On the other hand, an auxiliary tank 74 is provided adjacent to the washing tank 18, and a pipe 62 is inserted into the auxiliary tank 74 and opened. The auxiliary tank 74 includes a washing tank 18.
Is in communication with Therefore, by opening the pipe of the pipe 62 and supplying water to the auxiliary tank 74,
The water can be supplied to the washing tank 18 as washing water. At the bottom of the washing tank 18, a drainage pipe 76 is provided.
Is connected. This pipe 76 has a ball valve 7
8 and a drain cock 79 are provided, and the other end is connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown) outside the automatic developing apparatus 10. Accordingly, by operating the drain cock 79 to open the pipe of the pipe 76, the entire amount of water in the washing tank 18 can be discharged outside the machine. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an overflow tank 82 is provided adjacent to the washing tank 18. The overflow tank 82 is provided with a transfer path for the auxiliary tank 74 and the film 20 (the transfer rack 3 provided in the washing tank 18).
It is provided on the opposite side across 2). The excess water in the washing tank 18 flows into the overflow tank 82. A drain pipe 84 is connected to the bottom of the overflow tank 82. As shown in FIG. 5, the end of the drain pipe 84 opposite to the overflow tank 82 is connected to the pipe 76 on the discharge side of the drain cock 79. The drain pipe 84 allows the washing water (water) flowing into the overflow tank 82 to flow out of the overflow tank 82 to a waste liquid tank outside the machine. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the overflow tank 82 is integrated with the water washing tank 18 together with the liquid level measuring tank 86. The overflow tank 82 and the liquid level measuring tank 86 are partitioned by a partition wall 88. The tank wall 90 of the washing tank 18 between the overflow tank 82 and the washing tank 18
Is provided with a substantially rectangular cutout 92. When the level of the washing water in the washing tank 18 rises due to the supply of water, the washing water in the washing tank 18 flows into the overflow tank 82 from the cut 92. That is, this cut 9
The lower end of 2 is at the overflow level of the washing tank 18, and when the washing water in the washing tank 18 exceeds the overflow level, it flows into the overflow tank 82. The tank surface 90 of the washing tank 18 is provided with the liquid level measuring tank 8.
6 and a notch 94 reaching the bottom of the liquid level measuring tank 86
Are formed. As shown in FIG.
4 is cut to a level lower than the overflow level of the washing tank 18. As a result, a part of the water stored in the washing tank 18 enters the liquid level measuring tank 86, and the liquid level in the liquid level measuring tank 86 is changed to the liquid level of the washing water in the washing tank 18. They are the same. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a sensor unit 96 is disposed between the overflow tank 82 and the liquid level measuring tank 86. The sensor unit 96 includes a partition wall 88 between the liquid level measurement tank 86 and the overflow tank 82.
And covers the upper part of the overflow tank 82 and the liquid level measuring tank 86. The sensor unit 96 includes electrode pairs 100 and 102 each of which has two electrodes 98, and is connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 5). The sensor unit 9
Reference numeral 6 denotes a controller 7 via an A / D converter (not shown).
The solenoid valves 66 and 68 described above are connected to the microcomputer via a solid state relay (SSR) or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode pair 100 of the sensor unit 96 is inserted into the liquid level measuring tank 86.
The tip of the electrode 98 of the electrode pair 100 has reached below the overflow level of the washing water in the washing tank 18. When the electrodes 98 of the electrode pair 100 are respectively above the liquid level of the washing water and the electrodes 98 are in a non-conductive state, the controller 70 determines that the liquid level in the washing tank 18 has decreased, and 66 is opened to supply water to the washing tank 18. That is, the lower end of the electrode pair 100 is set to the lower limit of the liquid level of the washing tank 18. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode pair 102 of the sensor unit 96 is inserted into the overflow tank 82. The tip of each electrode 98 of this electrode pair 102
It reaches below the cut 92. That is, electrode pair 1
02 so that the tip of the electrode 98 is below the overflow level in the washing tank 18.
Is located within. Each electrode 98 of the electrode pair 102 provided in the overflow tank 82 is normally in a non-conducting state. However, when the washing water overflowing from the washing tank 18 accumulates in the overflow tank 82, the electrode 98 is turned off. 98
Are immersed in this water and become conductive. Controller 70
When the state between the electrodes 98 of the electrode pair 102 becomes conductive for a certain period of time or longer, it is determined that the drainage capacity from the overflow tank 82 has decreased, and the supply of water to the washing tank 18 is stopped.
At the same time, the controller 70 controls the overflow tank 8
2, the fact that water has accumulated is displayed on the operation panel 72 and is notified by an alarm or the like. Thereby, the controller 70 informs that the water has accumulated in the overflow tank 82, which should not normally accumulate water, due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the drain pipe 84, and also prevents the water from overflowing from the washing tank 18. ing. Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. The film 20 on which an image has been recorded by exposure is inserted into the machine casing 12 from the insertion opening 15 of the automatic developing apparatus 10 and processed. In the automatic developing device 10, the film 2 is inserted from the insertion port 15.
0 is inserted, the film 20 is inserted into the insertion rack 17.
And sent to the developing tank 14 of the processing liquid processing section 11. In the developing tank 14, the film 20 fed from the insertion rack 17 is transported by the transport rollers 2 of the transport rack 24.
While being conveyed in a substantially U-shape by 2, it is immersed in a developing solution to perform development processing. The film 20 after the development processing is conveyed from the developing tank 14 by the crossover rack 34 and sent to the fixing tank 16. In the fixing tank 16, the film 20 is immersed in a fixing solution while being transported by the transport rack 28 to perform a fixing process. When the film 20 having been subjected to the fixing process is fed into the washing tank 18, the film 2
0 is washed with water. The automatic developing device 10 conveys the film 20 having been subjected to the water washing process from the water washing tank 18 to the drying unit 50 while removing moisture adhering to the surface by the squeeze roller 42 of the crossover rack 40. In the drying section 50, first, two conveying rollers 44 are alternately brought into contact with the surface of the film 20 to remove water droplets on the surface of the film 20 that could not be removed by the squeeze roller 42, and then the heat roller 60. The film 20 is heated while being brought into contact with the film. Water evaporates from the heated film 20. The film 20 that has passed through the heat roller 60
While being conveyed by the conveying rollers 44, the evaporation of water is promoted by the drying air blown out from the blowing pipe 47, and the water is dried. Film 20 after drying processing
Is sent from the drying turn section 48 to the receiving box 52. In the processing solution processing section 11 of the automatic developing apparatus 10, washing water is supplied into the washing tank 18, and the film 20 is washed with fresh washing water having a small amount of processing solution components removed from the film 20. . At this time, in the washing tank 18, water is supplied as washing water, so that excess washing water in the washing tank 18 is removed from the overflow tank 8.
Then, the film 20 is overflowed and discharged, and the film 20 is washed with a substantially constant amount of washing water. At this time, the controller 70 determines whether water is accumulated in the overflow tank 82 based on the conduction state of the electrode pair 102 of the sensor unit 96. FIG. 6 shows an example of a flowchart for detecting whether or not the drainage capacity of the overflow tank 82 has decreased due to clogging of the drainage pipe 84 and stopping the water supply when the drainage ability has decreased. . First step 12 of this flowchart
In the case of 0, it is determined whether or not the space between the electrodes 98 of the electrode pair 102 overflows from the washing tank 18, and the water has flowed into the overflow tank 82 to establish a conductive state. Here, if the water flowing into the overflow 82 adheres to the electrode 98 and the electrode pair 102 becomes conductive, an affirmative determination is made, and the routine proceeds to step 122. In step 122, the timer provided as a function of the microcomputer is started to start measuring the time T. In step 124, the electrode pair 10
Check whether the conduction state of No. 2 continues. Here, the mere contact of the washing water overflowing from the washing tank 18 to the electrode 98 of the electrode pair 102 results in instantaneous or short-time conduction. In this case, a negative determination is made in step 124 and the process proceeds to step 126. In step 126, the timer is stopped to stop measuring the time T, and the flowchart ends. On the other hand, the washing tank 1 is provided in the overflow tank 82.
The water that overflows from the pool 8 accumulates, and this water
When the electrode 8 is immersed, the conduction state of the electrode pair 102 continues. In this case, an affirmative determination is made in step 124, and the process proceeds to step 128. In step 128, it is confirmed whether or not the time T measured by the timer has reached a predetermined time.
In the present embodiment, the set time is 4 seconds, and when the time T measured by the timer reaches the set time (4 seconds), the drainage capacity from the overflow tank 82 decreases,
It is determined that the washing water flowing from the washing tank 18 has accumulated in the overflow tank 82 (a positive determination),
Move to the next step. That is, water flows into the overflow tank 82 and the drain pipe 84 connected to the overflow tank 82 only when the washing water becomes excessive in the washing tank 18. Therefore, bacteria, mold, and the like contained in water remaining on the inner wall of the overflow tank 82 and the inner wall of the drain pipe 84 easily propagate, and the propagation of the bacteria, mold, and the like narrows the conduit in the drain pipe 84. In such a case, the drainage capacity of the overflow tank 82 is reduced, or the drainage is disabled, by worsening the flow of water or clogging the drainage pipe 84. When such a decrease in the drainage capacity from the overflow tank 82 is detected, the routine proceeds to step 130, where the timer is stopped, and the solenoid valve 66 is stopped.
Is closed, and the water supply to the washing tank 18 is stopped. Further, in the next step 132, "Drainage capacity reduction" from the washing tank 18 is displayed on the operation panel 72, and an alarm or the like is issued. When the drain pipe 84 is clogged, the water flowing from the washing tank 18 to the overflow tank 82 gradually accumulates in the overflow tank 82 without being discharged out of the machine. In this state, if the water supply to the washing tank 18 is continued, the level of the washing water in the washing tank 18 further rises above the overflow level, overflows from the washing tank 18 to the fixing tank 16, and the fixing tank 16 The fixing solution in 16 is diluted. Further, when the washing water overflows from the washing tank 18 into the inside of the apparatus, the parts inside the apparatus are wetted, causing a malfunction or a failure of the apparatus. Further, the automatic developing device 1
This causes problems such as dripping on the floor surface where the 0 is installed and wetting the surroundings. On the other hand, the water supply / drainage device 56 provided in the automatic developing device 10 stops the supply of water to the washing tank 18 when water accumulates in the overflow tank 82, so that the water overflows from the washing tank 18. Wash tank 1
Problems such as the thinning of the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 adjacent to the fixing unit 8, the deterioration of the finishing quality such as defective fixing of the film 20, and the wetting of the inside of the apparatus and the floor on which the apparatus is installed. Can be prevented from occurring. In particular, in the water supply / drainage device 56 used in the automatic developing device 10, since it is detected whether or not water is accumulated in the overflow tank 82 at a level lower than the overflow level in the washing tank 18, the overflow is performed. By preventing the water accumulated in the tank 82 from exceeding the overflow level, the washing water in the washing tank 18 is also prevented from exceeding the overflow level. The time T measured by the timer is
Considering the detection level of the water in the overflow tank 82 by the electrode pair 102 (the position where the tip of the electrode 98 contacts the water collected in the overflow tank 82) and the amount of water supplied to the washing tank 18, the water is collected in the overflow tank 82. It may be set so that the supply of water to the washing tank 18 can be surely stopped before the water reaches the overflow level. In this flowchart, step 134
By performing the error processing in, for example, removing the clogging of the drain pipe 84, performing maintenance such as discharging all the water in the overflow tank 82, and performing a reset operation, the re-operation can be performed. In the present embodiment, the water is supplied to the washing tank 18 of the automatic developing apparatus 10 for processing the film 20 and the water is supplied to the water supply / drainage unit 56 for discharging excess water in the washing tank 18 by overflowing. Although the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the film 20, but can be applied to a water supply / drainage device for a washing tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material such as photographic paper. Further, the present invention is not limited to a water supply / drainage device for a washing tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus, but can be applied to various apparatuses having a water storage tank for storing water. As described above, according to the present invention, the drainage pipe which causes water to accumulate in the overflow tank is provided by detecting the accumulation of water in the overflow tank by providing the overflow tank with detection means. If water overflows in the water tank or clogging of drain pipes is detected , and water accumulates in the overflow tank, water supply to the water storage tank by water supply means can be stopped.
Water in the water storage tank exceeds the overflow level.
To prevent the water from overflowing from the water storage tank.
It has an excellent effect. [0055]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic developing device used in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the vicinity of an overflow tank provided in a washing tank. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the overflow tank taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the overflow tank taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a water supply / drainage mechanism of a washing tank. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detection of clogging of a drain pipe. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic developing device 18 Rinse tank 20 Film 56 Water supply / drainage device 66 Solenoid valve (water supply means) 70 Controller (water supply control means) 72 Operation panel 82 Overflow tank 84 Drainage pipe 96 Sensor unit 98 Electrode 102 Electrode pair (detection) means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Sugiyama 1250 Takematsu, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujiki Kiki Kogyo Co., Ltd. 56) References JP-A-4-14042 (JP, A) JP-A-4-156543 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03D 3/00-5/06 G03D 11/00 G03D 15/00-17/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] Drainage in which water is supplied to a water storage tank by a water supply means, and excess water in the water storage tank is connected to a bottom portion.
The Rukoto overflow into the overflow tank which is open by a tube, said a plumbing device for draining the overflow tank via the exhaust <br/> water pipe, detects whether the water is accumulated in the overflow tank Detecting means for performing the operation of the water supply means according to the detection result of the detecting means.
Water supply control means for controlling, the water supply control means
However, the detecting means continuously continues for at least a predetermined time.
-When the water in the bar flow tank is detected,
A water supply / drainage device characterized by being stopped .