JPH0990587A - Replenisher supplying device for automatic developing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a developer from being concentrated by evaporation. SOLUTION: The replenishment scheme shown in the figure is performed throughout the period from the completion of mother developer exchange to the beginning of the next mother developer exchange. In this device, the initial settings are performed in a step 200 and the operation mode is set in a step 202 and then, the liquid temp. Td of a developer is measured at intervals of a specified time (1hr) and the evaporation amount (w) of the developer is read from the liquid temp. Td and a temp. Te1 (environmental temp. when the developing equipment is not operated) to integrate the read evaporation amount values (steps 204 to 216). At this time, the temp. Te1 is reset after the lapse of a specified time (6hr) from the point at which the integration is completed. Also, when the developing equipment operation is started (judged by a step 222), a temp. Te2 (environmental temp. when the developing equipment is operated) is set (a step 226) and the evaporation amount (w) is determined at intervals of a specified time to integrate the determined evaporation amount values (steps 228 to 236). When the integrated evaporation amount W thus obtained reaches a specified value, a developing tank is replenished with water in an amount corresponding to the integrated evaporation amount W.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replenisher replenishing device for an automatic developing device for processing a photographic light-sensitive material with a processing liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an imagewise exposed photographic light-sensitive material is processed by immersing it in a processing solution such as a developing solution, a fixing solution, and washing water by an automatic developing device, and then drying it to finish it. A processing solution such as a developing solution and a fixing solution used in such an automatic developing device is deteriorated due to processing of the photosensitive material or oxidation due to contact with air or the like, resulting in deterioration of processing performance. For this reason, the automatic developing device is provided with a replenisher replenishing device that supplies replenisher to each processing tank.

This replenisher replenisher replenishes the replenishing stock solution and the diluting water as replenishing solutions into the processing tanks at a fixed ratio every processing amount of the photosensitive material or a predetermined time, and replenishes the processing solution in each processing tank. The processing performance is always kept constant so that the photosensitive material can be finished with uniform quality. The excess processing liquid in each processing tank due to the replenishment of the replenishing liquid is
Since it is discharged as a waste liquid or is stored in a waste liquid container and is collectively discarded, it is desirable to reduce the replenishment amount as much as possible to reduce the waste liquid amount and the running cost of the automatic developing device.

By the way, in the automatic developing apparatus, water in the processing liquid is evaporated from the processing tank to some extent due to reasons such as heating the processing liquid and using a heater for the drying process. At this time, when the processing amount of the photosensitive material in the automatic developing device is small, the replenishing amount of the replenishing liquid also becomes small, so that the processing liquid in the processing tank is gradually concentrated and affects the finish quality of the photosensitive material. . Therefore, it is necessary to supplement water according to the amount of water vaporized from the treatment tank to prevent the treatment liquid in the treatment tank from being concentrated due to evaporation.

[0005]

However, since the photosensitive material carries a considerable amount of the processing liquid out of the processing tank, it is only possible to measure the amount of the processing liquid in the processing tank to obtain the water content actually reduced by evaporation. Since the amount cannot be calculated, it is difficult to replenish an appropriate amount of water according to the amount of evaporated water.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an automatic development for supplying a proper amount of water according to the amount of evaporated water to a processing tank to finish a photosensitive material with a constant quality. An object of the present invention is to provide a replenisher for a device.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stock solution replenishing means for replenishing a replenishing stock solution to a processing tank storing a processing solution for processing a light-sensitive material, and a replenishing stock solution for diluting the replenishing stock solution. Water replenishing means for replenishing water, and replenishing solution replenishing control means for activating the undiluted solution replenishing means and the water replenishing means at a predetermined timing to supply a replenishing undiluted solution and water in a predetermined ratio to the processing tank as replenishing solution. A replenisher replenishing device for an automatic developing device, comprising: a liquid temperature detecting means for detecting a liquid temperature of a processing liquid in the processing tank; and environmental information detection for detecting an ambient temperature and an ambient humidity around the device. Means, storage means for storing information on the predicted evaporation amount of water from the processing tank according to the environmental temperature and humidity and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid, and the information from the liquid temperature detecting means and the environmental information detecting means Stored in the storage means The actuating the said water replenishing means based on information relating to the predicted evaporation amount of moisture from the treatment tank, characterized in that it comprises a water supply control means for supplying water, the be.

In the present invention, the predicted evaporation amount of water from the processing tank corresponding to the environmental humidity and the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid is stored in advance in the storage means, and the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity and the processing liquid are stored. The liquid temperature is measured, and the evaporation amount of water from the processing tank is predicted based on the information. The water supply control means
Water is supplied to the treatment tank in accordance with the predicted evaporation amount of water from the treatment tank.

With this, it is possible to replenish the treatment tank with an amount of water according to the amount of evaporation without measuring the amount of evaporation of the water from the inside of the processing tank, and to evaporate the water in the processing liquid. It is possible to prevent the processing liquid in the tank from condensing and affecting the finish quality of the photographic light-sensitive material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores the predicted evaporation amount of water with respect to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature in each period in which one year is divided into a plurality of periods according to the relative humidity. Yes, the environment information detecting means is adapted to read the date and the environment temperature.

In the present invention, one year is divided into a plurality of periods having substantially the same relative humidity, and the predicted evaporation amount of water from the treatment tank according to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of the treatment liquid for each divided period is calculated. It is stored in the storage means.

The date is read by the environmental information detecting means,
It is possible to judge which of the divided periods the day corresponds to, and the storage means stores the information about the predicted evaporation amount with respect to the liquid temperature of the processing liquid detected by the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature detection device which are the same as the result. From this, it is possible to easily predict the evaporation amount of water from the environmental temperature and the temperature of the processing liquid without using the environmental humidity because accurate measurement is difficult. Further, since it is sufficient to store the evaporation amount of water according to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid in accordance with the divided plural periods, it is not necessary to store the evaporation amount of water according to the change of environmental humidity. The amount of data stored in the storage means can be reduced.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an automatic developing apparatus 10. The automatic developing apparatus 10 includes a processing liquid processing unit 16 for immersing a sheet film 12 as a photosensitive material in a processing liquid in a casing 14, and a drying unit 18 for drying the sheet film 12 processed by the processing liquid processing unit 16.
And

The processing liquid processing section 16 includes a processing tank 20. The inside of the processing tank 20 is partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 20A, and the developing tank 2 that stores a developing solution
2. A fixing tank 24 for storing a fixing liquid and a washing tank 26 for storing washing water are formed.

In each of the developing tank 22, the fixing tank 24, and the water washing tank 26, processing racks 28 and 3 each having a conveying path for the sheet film 12 formed by a plurality of roller pairs and guides.
0 and 32 are arranged. On the upstream side of the developing tank 22 (on the left side of the paper surface of FIG. 1), an insertion rack 34 is provided between the developing tank 22 and an insertion opening 44 formed in the casing 14, and the processing rack 32 of the washing tank 26 is provided. A squeeze portion 36 including a pair of rollers for squeezing the moisture on the surface of the sheet film 12 when the sheet film 12 is sent to the drying portion 18 on the downstream side is extended.

As a result, the automatic developing device 10 draws the sheet film 12 inserted from the insertion port 44 into the processing liquid processing unit 16 and processes it with the processing liquid, and the squeeze unit 36 adsorbs the moisture adhering to the surface of the sheet film 12. It is adapted to be sent to the drying section 18 while removing the above.

The drying section 18 has a conveying path formed by a roller group 38 in which a large number of rollers including a heat roller 40 are arranged in a zigzag pattern. In the drying unit 18, while the sheet film is conveyed upward by the roller group 38, the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is blown onto the surface of the sheet film 12 and is applied by the dry air and the heat roller 40. The sheet film 12 is dried by the heat applied. The dried sheet film 12 is discharged from the upper turn portion 42 toward the discharge tray 48 provided above the processing liquid processing portion 16.

FIG. 2 shows the developing tank 22 of the processing liquid processing section 16,
The schematic configuration of a replenishing solution replenishing device 64 for replenishing the fixing tank 24 and the washing tank 26 with the replenishing solution is shown. The replenishing solution replenishing device 64 includes replenishing stock solution containers 66 and 68 for storing a replenishing stock solution for the developing solution (development replenishing stock solution) and a replenishing stock solution for the fixing solution (fixing replenishing stock solution), respectively. One ends of pipes 70 and 72 are inserted into 66 and 68. The pipe 70 is provided with a stock solution replenishing pump 74 in the middle portion and has the other end opened above the developing tank 22, and the pipe 72 is provided with a stock solution replenishing pump 76 in the middle portion and the other end is the fixing tank 24. It opens above.

The stock solution replenishing pump 74 replenishes the developing tank 22 with the development replenishing stock solution in the replenishing stock solution container 66, and the stock solution replenishing pump 76 replenishes the fixing tank 24 with the fixing replenishment stock solution in the replenishment stock solution container 68.

The replenisher replenishing device 64 is equipped with a water tank 80 for diluting the developing replenisher stock solution and the fixing replenisher stock solution at predetermined ratios and storing water for replenishing the washing tank 26 as a replenisher solution. There is. One end of each of the pipes 82, 84 and 86 is inserted and opened in the water tank 80. The pipes 82, 84 and 86 are provided with water replenishing pumps 88, 90 and 92 at their intermediate portions,
The other end has a developing tank 22, a fixing tank 24, and a washing tank 26, respectively.
Is open above the liquid surface of. Water replenishment pumps 88, 9
Reference numerals 0 and 92 respectively denote the water in the water tank 80 in the developing tank 2
2. Supply to the fixing tank 24 and the washing tank 26.

Developing tank 22, fixing tank 24 and washing tank 26
Has one end of each of the pipes 50A, 50B50, 50C opened at the bottom, and the other end of each of the pipes 50A, 50B, 50C has a developing tank 22, a fixing tank 24 and a washing tank 26, respectively.
Has an opening at the top. A circulation pump 52 is provided in the middle of the pipe 50A, a circulation pump 54 is provided in the middle of the pipe 50B, and a circulation pump 56 is provided in the middle of the pipe 50C.

The circulation pump 52 circulates and uniformly stirs the developing solution in the developing tank 22, and when the developing replenishing stock solution and water are replenished, the developing replenishing stock solution and the water in the developing solution in the developing tank 22 are replenished. Are mixed to be uniform. Circulation pump 5
No. 4 circulates and agitates the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24, and when the fixing replenishing stock solution and water are replenished in the fixing tank 24, the fixing replenishing stock solution and water are mixed with the fixing solution. The circulation pump 56 also mixes the water in the washing tank 26 with the water that has been replenished by stirring the water in the washing tank 26.

Heaters 58, 60, 62 and a temperature sensor 9 are provided at the respective intermediate portions of the pipes 50A, 50B, 50C.
4, 96, 98 are provided. Heaters 58, 60,
Each of 62 heats the processing liquid (developing liquid, fixing liquid and washing water) passing through the pipes 50A, 50B and 50C,
The processing liquid in the developing tank 22, the fixing tank 24, and the washing tank 26 is maintained at a predetermined temperature. The heater 62 and the temperature sensor 98 of the pipe 50C of the washing tank 26 may be omitted depending on the usage environment.

FIG. 3 shows a control unit 100 of the automatic developing device 10.
Shows the outline of. The control unit 100 includes a CPU 10
2, ROM 104, RAM 106 and input / output port 10
8 is a controller 11 connected by a bus 110
2 is provided. This controller 112 is a bus 110
It has a timer 114 connected to. The timer 114 has a so-called calendar function, and the CPU 1
02 can know the date, time, etc. by this timer 114.

Further, the controller 100 includes a controller 11
Multiple drivers 1 connected to 2 I / O ports 108
16 to 122 and an A / D converter 124.

The circulation pumps 52 to 56, the stock solution replenishing pumps 74 and 76, the water replenishing pumps 88 to 92, and the heaters 58 to 62 of the replenishing solution replenishing device 64 are the drivers 116.
It is connected to the. Further, the temperature sensors 94 to 98 and the insertion sensor 46 for detecting the sheet film 12 inserted from the insertion opening 44 of the automatic developing device 10 are connected to the A / D converter 124.

The drying unit 18 includes a drying fan 126 that circulates the drying air inside the drying unit 18, a heater 128 for heating the drying air, a temperature of the drying air and / or a heat roller 40.
A drying temperature sensor 130 for measuring the surface temperature of The drying fan 126 and the heater 128 are used by the driver 12
0, and the drying temperature sensor 130 is connected to the A / D
It is connected to the converter 124. Also, driver 1
A conveyance motor 132, which is a drive source when the sheet film 12 is conveyed in the automatic developing device 10, is connected to the device 22.

The controller 112 includes the circulation pumps 52-.
While operating 56, the temperature of each processing liquid is detected by the temperature sensors 94 to 98, and the heaters 58 to 62 are on / off controlled to maintain each processing liquid at a preset predetermined temperature. When the insertion sensor 46 detects the sheet film 12 to be inserted into the processing liquid processing unit 16 from the insertion sensor 46, the controller 112 drives the conveyance motor 132 to start the conveyance of the sheet film 12 and perform automatic development. The processing amount of the sheet film 12 (for example, the area of the processed sheet film 12 and the number of processed sheet films 12) in the apparatus 10 is calculated, and the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 2 are calculated.
4 and the amount of replenisher required in the washing tank 26 (replenishing stock solution and diluting water) are calculated. In the controller 112, the stock solution replenishing pump 7 is operated when the calculated amounts of the replenishing solution to be replenished in the developing tank 22, the fixing tank 24, and the water washing tank 26 reach predetermined values.
4, 76 and the water replenishment pumps 88 to 92 are operated to replenish the replenisher (process replenishment, stock solution replenishment pumps 74, 76).
And the water replenishing pumps 88 to 92 for replenishing the dilution water do not necessarily have to be operated simultaneously). Further, the controller 112 causes the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 2 to supply a replenishing solution of a preset amount each time a certain period of time elapses (for example, every day at the start of work).
4 to prevent deterioration of the developing solution in the developing tank 22 and the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24 with time (replenishment with time).

The controller 112 operates the drying fan 126 and the heater 128 while measuring the drying air temperature by the drying temperature sensor 130 to generate the drying air for drying the sheet film 12.

As described above, the characteristic constitution of this apparatus is that the replenishment liquid (including the replenishment for the amount of the treatment liquid carried out together with the sheet film 12) and the treatment liquid depending on the treatment amount of the sheet film 12 is treated. In addition to replenishment for deterioration with time (replenishment with time), the evaporation amount is replenished as described below.

That is, the controller 112 assumes the amount of water evaporated from each of the developing solution in the developing tank 22 and the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24, and uses water (diluting water) corresponding to the assumed amount of water. A water replenishing pump 88 for replenishing each of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 from the tank 80,
Control 90.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the vertical axis represents the amount of water vapor in the developing solution and the fixing solution from the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 of the automatic developing device 10 measured by experiments, and the horizontal axis represents the humidity. It is a graph which shows the specific humidity (unit: g / kg) which is the water content (g) in the air per unit weight (1 kg). It can be seen that the evaporation amount of water from the developing solution from the developing tank 22 and the amount of water from the fixing solution from the fixing tank 24 change depending on the liquid temperature and the specific humidity. This graph shows automatic developing device 1
0 is applicable to both active and inactive.

In general, it is known that the evaporation amount of water is influenced by the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity and the liquid temperature, and the evaporation amount of the water is measured by measuring the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity and the liquid temperature, respectively. , It is possible to assume. However, in order to know the evaporation amount of the processing liquid from the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity and the liquid temperature, it is necessary to store the evaporation amount according to each change of the environmental temperature, the environmental humidity and the liquid temperature as data, so that the large capacity is required. Need storage device.

On the other hand, the average value of the relative humidity changes depending on the climate, and even if the relative humidity is slightly different, the evaporation amount of the treatment liquid does not change much. From here, one year is divided into periods with substantially equal relative humidity, and the evaporation amount of each treatment liquid is estimated by storing the evaporation amount of the treatment liquid with respect to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of each divided period. It is possible to reduce the amount of data that needs to be stored for this purpose.

For example, in the automatic developing device 10, as shown in Table 1 by the controller 112, one year is a period of low relative humidity (low humidity period), a period of relatively high relative humidity (high humidity period), and high humidity. By dividing the operation mode when supplying water by dividing into three stages of the normal period between the period and the low humidity period, in each mode of operation mode, the water supply amount can be determined only by the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature. It suffices to decide in advance, and the capacity of the storage device can be suppressed. In the operation modes shown in Table 1, the low-humidity mode used in the low-humidity period is shown as "winter season mode", the high-humidity mode used in the high-humidity period is shown as "summer mode", and the normal period is shown as "normal mode". Further, each period is set according to the climate of the place (region) where the automatic developing device 10 is installed. In this embodiment, as an example, the operation mode is set assuming that the automatic developing device 10 is installed in an area where the humidity is high in the summer and low in the winter.

The amount of water vaporized per unit time during operation of the automatic developing device 10 and that during non-operation are simply the difference in liquid temperature, and in some cases, the difference between day and night, or the difference in environmental temperature due to the presence or absence of air conditioning. It is only determined and can be predicted by the same Table 1.

[0037]

[Table 1]

The amount of evaporation of the developing solution in the developing tank 22 and the amount of the fixing solution in the fixing solution per unit time according to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature for each operation mode (relative humidity) were experimentally tested in advance. R is obtained from the result (eg, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).
It is written and stored in the AM 106. Table 2 to Table 7
Shows an example of a table of evaporation amounts stored in the RAM 106. It should be noted that Tables 2 to 4 show respective tables of the "normal mode", "summer mode" and "winter mode" of the developer in the developing tank 22, and Tables 4 to 7
Shows respective tables of "normal mode", "summer mode" and "winter mode" of the fixing liquid in the fixing tank 24. Further, it may be written in the ROM 104 in advance.

[0039]

[Table 2]

[0040]

[Table 3]

[0041]

[Table 4]

[0042]

[Table 5]

[0043]

[Table 6]

[0044]

[Table 7]

In this way, one year is divided into a plurality of periods according to the relative humidity (environmental humidity), and the evaporation of water per unit time according to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid is divided for each period. By storing the amount, for example, the amount of data to be stored in comparison with the case where the evaporation amount of water according to the ambient temperature and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid is stored in accordance with the relative humidity (for example, in increments of 1% of the relative humidity). Can be significantly reduced.

In the controller 112, the timer 114
The operation mode is selected and set based on the date read from, and the operation mode for predicting the evaporation amount of water from the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 is set. Further, in the controller 112, the drying of the drying unit 18 in the state where the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped as the environmental temperature (for example, immediately before the operation of one day ... When the power source of the automatic developing device 10 is turned on). The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 130 is read as the environmental temperature, and the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of the developing solution in the developing tank 22 and the liquid temperature of the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24 detected by the liquid temperature sensors 94 and 96 are read, The amount of evaporation of the water of each of the developing solution and the fixing solution is predicted. In addition, in order to measure the environmental temperature, an independent temperature measuring device may be provided in the automatic developing device 10 and the measurement result may be used.

The controller 112 is the drying temperature sensor 1
When the temperature is measured at 30 and the environmental temperature is set, the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped (when the power switch (not shown) is turned off and the operation of the heater or the like is stopped), and the drying unit 18 is set in the surrounding area. The environmental temperature Te when the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped is the measured temperature of the drying temperature sensor 130 after a lapse of a time when it can be determined that the temperature has cooled to the temperature.
₁ is read, and the measured temperature of the drying temperature sensor 130 at the start of the operation of the automatic developing device 10 (before the startup of the drying unit 18 when the power switch is turned on) is the environmental temperature when the automatic developing device 10 is operating. Set as Te ₂ .

In this way, the controller 112 predicts the evaporation amount of water from the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 when the automatic developing device 10 is not operating and is operating, and integrates the predicted values with respect to time. , The water replenishment pumps 88 and 90 are activated each time the respective integrated values reach a predetermined value, and the developing tank 2
2. To compensate for the water evaporated from each of the fixing tanks 24.

Generally, a bellows pump is used as a pump used for replenishing the undiluted solution and water in consideration of its price and size, but this type of pump can deliver a small amount of liquid with high accuracy in quantity. Can not. Therefore, the controller 112 operates the pump so that the pump is operated when the amount of the replenishing liquid to be replenished or the water is added to a large amount or more, for example, 200 ml or more, which can guarantee the discharge accuracy of the pump to be used. It is preferable to control the operation. The same applies to the operation of the pump for correcting the evaporation amount.

Water is supplied to the washing tank 26 by the washing tank 26.
The water supply pump 88 may be operated at regular intervals so that the water surface inside maintains a predetermined liquid level sensor position. Developing tank 22, fixing tank 24 and washing tank 2
In FIG. 6, a floating lid (not shown) is provided so as to cover the surface of each of the stored processing liquids so that the area in which the processing liquids come into contact with air is narrowed and the processing liquids come into contact with air to be oxidized. In addition to suppressing the deterioration caused by the above, evaporation of water in the processing liquid is suppressed.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the automatic developing device 10 which is ready for processing, the insertion port 44
When the insertion sensor 90 detects the sheet film 12 inserted from above, the drive source (motor) 92 is driven to draw the sheet film 12 into the processing liquid processing section 16 by the insertion rack 34, and the developing solution, the fixing solution, and the washing solution are washed. It is conveyed while being dipped in water in order and treated with each treatment liquid. Further, after the sheet film 12 treated with the treatment liquid is sent to the drying unit 18 through the squeeze unit 36 for drying treatment, the sheet film 12 is discharged out of the machine, and the sheet film 12 is inserted by the insertion sensor 90. New sheet film 1
When 2 is not detected to be inserted from the insertion opening 44, the driving of the drive source 92 is stopped, and the process waits until a new sheet film 12 is inserted.

On the other hand, the controller 130 calculates the processing amount (the processing area or the number of processed sheets) of the sheet film 12 in the automatic developing device 10 from the detection result of the insertion sensor 46, and based on the calculation result, the developing tank 22 is processed. The amounts of the developing replenishing stock solution and the diluting water to be replenished, and the amounts of the fixing replenishing stock solution and the diluting water to be replenished to the fixing tank 24 are calculated, and based on the calculation results, the stock solution replenishing pumps 74 and 76 and the water replenishing pumps 88 and 9 are calculated.
0 and 92 are operated to replenish the developing tank 22, the fixing tank 24, and the washing tank 26 with the replenisher or the washing water. In addition, the controller 112 replenishes the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 with the preset amount of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution, and the diluting water to the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 at regular intervals (for example, every time the engine is started every day).

As described above, the deterioration of the processing performance due to the processing of the sheet film 12 by the developing solution and the fixing solution in the automatic developing device 10 and the deterioration of the processing performance over time due to oxidation or the like are prevented, and the developing solution and the fixing solution are fixed. The sheet film 12 due to the deterioration of the processing performance by maintaining the respective processing performance of the liquids substantially constant.
It is widely known to prevent the deterioration of the finished quality of the.

In the automatic developing device 10 characteristic of the present invention, the controller 112 predicts the amount of water evaporated from each of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 while the automatic developing device 10 is in operation and stopped. Depending on the prediction result, water is supplied to the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 to prevent the developing solution in the developing tank 22 and the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24 from being concentrated.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an evaporation amount integration routine in which the controller 112 predicts and integrates the evaporation amounts from the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24, respectively. Less than,
The integration of the evaporation amount in the controller 112 will be described based on this flowchart. The automatic developing device 10
Turns on the breaker that supplies power to the automatic developing device 10 so that power is supplied even when the power switch is turned off. Even if the automatic developing device 10 is not operating, the controller 112 Only is always in operation.

In the following description, after the power switch (not shown) is turned on and the automatic developing device 10 starts operating,
Further, after the power switch is turned off and stopped, the evaporation amount w from each of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 (hereinafter referred to as “processing tank”) is separately obtained and integrated for each hour. , Each integrated value W is the water replenishment pump 8
Water is replenished each time the amount of water supplied by 8, 90 reaches a sufficient level (20 ml as an example).

The environmental temperature Te ₁ during the operation stop of the automatic developing device 10 is measured by the drying temperature sensor 130 6 hours after the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, and then the automatic developing device 10 After 10 is activated, this temperature is used until a new environmental temperature Te ₁ is set next.
However, since the controller 112 does not operate unless the power supplied to the automatic developing device 10 is turned off (for example, the power breaker is turned off) and the automatic developing device 10 is not supplied with power, the evaporation amount of the processing liquid is small. It goes without saying that you cannot add up.

This flow chart ends when the treatment liquid in the treatment tank is exchanged (replacement of the mother liquor), and is executed again after the mother liquor is exchanged.

First step 20 of this flow chart
At 0, initial setting is performed. In this initial setting, since a new processing liquid is put in the processing tank, the integrated value W of the evaporation amount is reset (W = 0). Further, when the automatic developing device 10 is newly installed, the temperature is measured by the drying temperature sensor 130, and the environmental temperature (hereinafter referred to as “temperature Te ₁ ”) when the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped is measured. Set.

In the next step 202, the timer 114
The date is read from, the operation mode is set depending on whether it corresponds to a high humidity period, a low humidity period or a normal period, and then the count timers t ₁ and t ₂ are reset and then started (step 204). The count timer t ₁
Is used to measure the interval of integration of the evaporation amount, and the count timer t ₂ is used to measure the time for setting the temperature Te ₁ .

At step 206, the count timer t ₂
It is confirmed whether or not 6 hours have elapsed since the start of, and in step 208, it is confirmed whether or not the measurement time of the count timer t ₁ has reached 1 hour. That is, the automatic developing device 1
At 0, the evaporation amount is predicted and integrated every hour. Also,
The temperature Te ₁ is measured every 6 hours, and the temperature Te ₁ is updated according to the change in the ambient environmental temperature.

Here, the count timer t ₁ is reset /
When 1 hour has passed after the start, an affirmative decision is made in step 208, and the routine proceeds to step 210. Step 21
At 0, the count timer t ₁ is reset and started again to start the measurement of the next interval, and then the liquid temperature Td of the processing liquid is measured by the liquid temperature sensors 94 and 96. The solution temperature sensor 94 measures the temperature of the developing solution in the developing tank 22, and the solution temperature sensor 96 measures the solution temperature of the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24.

Next, at step 214, the evaporation amount w of the treatment liquid per hour is read from the table recorded in the RAM 106 from the temperature Te ₁ set as the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature Td, and then the evaporation is performed. The quantity w is added to the integrated value W and integrated (W ← W + w; step 216). Thus, while the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, the evaporation amount from the processing tank is obtained and integrated every hour.

On the other hand, when the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped,
After a lapse of time, an affirmative decision is made in step 206, and therefore the routine proceeds to step 218. In this step, the temperature inside the drying unit 18 is read by the drying temperature sensor 130, and this temperature is reset (updated) as the temperature Te ₁ .
When the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, the temperature of the drying section 18 is gradually cooled and becomes substantially the same as the ambient temperature. After that, by reading the temperature in the drying unit 18 as the environmental temperature, it is not necessary to use a dedicated temperature sensor for measuring the environmental temperature. Further, when measuring the liquid temperature of the processing liquid, since the liquid temperature sensors 94 and 96 for maintaining the processing liquid at a constant temperature during the operation of the apparatus are used, the evaporation of water from each processing tank is performed. There is no need to add additional components for ambient and liquid temperature measurements to measure the volume.

Further, the period is divided in advance according to the relative humidity, it is judged which period the date read from the timer 114 corresponds to, and the treatment tank is set according to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature provided for each period. Since the amount of water vaporized from the device is obtained, it is not necessary to provide the automatic developing device 10 with a humidity sensor or the like for measuring humidity.

The temperature Te ₁ may be set by reading the measurement result of the drying temperature sensor 130 at regular intervals when the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped. Thereby, even if the environmental temperature changes while the automatic developing device 10 is stopped for a long time, the evaporation amount can be calculated according to the changed environmental temperature.

On the other hand, in step 220, it is confirmed whether or not the power source of the automatic developing device 10 is turned off (the breaker supplying the power is turned off), and in step 222, the automatic developing device 10 is processed to process the sheet film 12. It is confirmed that a power switch (not shown) is turned on.

Here, when the power breaker connected to the automatic developing device 10 is turned off and the power supply to the automatic developing device 10 is stopped (affirmative determination in step 220), the process proceeds to step 224 and the evaporation amount is increased. Interrupt the integration of and wait until the power is turned on next (the power breaker is turned on). Here, when the power is turned on (step 22
If the determination in step 4 is affirmative), the process proceeds to step 202, and the accumulation of evaporation amount is started.

When the power switch is turned on (affirmative determination in step 222) and the automatic developing device 10 is started to process the sheet film 12, step 22 is performed.
6, the temperature of the drying unit 18 immediately before the automatic developing device 10 is started is measured by the drying temperature sensor 130, and the temperature T used as the environmental temperature during the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is measured.
Set e ₂ .

In the next step 228, the count timer
t₁Reset / start to start accumulation of evaporation
Every time it detects that one hour has passed in step 230.
To read the temperature Td of the processing liquid (step 232),
Liquid temperature Td and temperature Te read ₂Read the evaporation amount w for
Incorporation (step 234), this evaporation amount w to the integrated value W
Addition is performed and the evaporation amount is integrated (step 236).

Further, in step 238, it is confirmed whether the power supply switch is turned off and the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, and steps 228 to 236 are repeated for 1 hour until the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped. The evaporation amount of the processing liquid is calculated for each time and integrated. When the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped (affirmative determination in step 238), the process proceeds to step 202, and while the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, steps 206 to 216 are repeated to determine the evaporation amount. Accumulate.

Until 6 hours have passed since the automatic developing device 10 was turned off, the temperature Te ₁ set during the previous stop of the automatic developing device 10 is stored, and this temperature Te ₁ is stored.
The amount of evaporation is calculated by setting the ambient temperature as. Since the automatic developing device 10 uses the drying temperature sensor 130 provided in the drying unit 18 to measure the environmental temperature, the automatic developing device 1
Even if the operation of 0 is stopped, until the inside of the drying section 18 is cooled,
The previously set temperature Te ₁ is used. Automatic developing device 1
If a temperature measuring device that measures the environmental temperature so that it is not affected by the operation of 0 is used, the temperature Te ₁ or the temperature Te ₂ is set at regular time intervals or whenever the environmental temperature changes by a predetermined temperature, and the evaporation amount is set. Can be accumulated.

On the other hand, the controller 112 actuates the water replenishment pump 88 or the water replenishment pump 90 every time the integrated value W of the evaporation amount reaches 20 ml (W ≧ 20 ml), and the corresponding processing tank (development tank 22 or The fixing tank 24) is supplied with water in an amount corresponding to the integrated value W, and the integrated value W is reset (W =
0). The amount of water replenished at one time is not limited to this, but the water replenishment pump 8 can be replenished so that water can be replenished accurately.
It is preferable to set according to the capabilities of 8, 90.

As a result, each of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 is replenished with water in an amount corresponding to the amount of evaporation, so that the developing solution or fixing solution is concentrated due to the evaporation of water, or an unnecessarily large amount of water is added. Is not replenished and the components in the developing solution and the fixing solution are not diluted, and the sheet film 12 can be treated with the developing solution and the fixing solution having a constant concentration, so that the sheet film 12 has a constant quality. Can be finished.

Note that this flowchart shows an example of predicting the amount of evaporation from the processing tank, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the power of the device is turned off or the power switch is operated (on to off or off to on) within one hour after obtaining and integrating the evaporation amount, the evaporation amount for a time less than one hour However, the evaporation amount at this time may be calculated and integrated.

Further, the interval for integrating the evaporation amount of the treatment liquid is not limited to one hour, and may be set every two hours, every three hours, or the like. When the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, the operation stop time is measured, and when the operation of the automatic developing device 10 is started, the evaporation amount during the operation stop is calculated to process the processing tank. The water may be replenished.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, one year is set to a low humidity period of 30% RH for 8 years depending on the relative humidity.
Although it is divided into three stages of a high humidity period of 0% RH and a normal period of 50% RH, it may be divided into four stages or more depending on the relative humidity. Further, the relative humidity and the date of each period may be set according to the region and the climate.

The replenisher replenishing device 64 used in the automatic developing device 10 is an example of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be applied to an automatic developing apparatus for processing other photographic light-sensitive materials such as photographic paper other than the sheet film 12 and negative film.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, the estimated evaporation amount of water in the processing liquid corresponding to various environmental humidity, environmental temperature and liquid temperature of the processing liquid is stored, and the present environmental humidity is stored. Since the predicted evaporation amount corresponding to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid is read, water can be replenished without measuring the decrease in the processing liquid in the processing tank due to evaporation, and the concentration of the processing liquid due to evaporation can be prevented. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, the evaporation amount is divided into a plurality of periods according to the relative humidity and the evaporation amount for each period is stored. Therefore, the amount of data stored in the storage means can be reduced. , There is no need to measure humidity,
It has an excellent effect that water can be supplied according to the amount of evaporation with a simple structure.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a replenisher replenishing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a control unit of an automatic developing device.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an evaporation amount of water in a developing solution per unit time with respect to a specific humidity obtained from experimental results.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing an evaporation amount of water in a fixing solution per unit time with respect to a specific humidity obtained from experimental results.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for integrating the evaporation amount from the processing tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Automatic Developing Device 12 Sheet Film 22 Developing Tank 24 Fixing Tank 26 Rinsing Tank 64 Replenishing Liquid Replenishing Device 74, 76 Undiluted Liquid Replenishing Pump 88, 90 Water Replenishing Pump 94, 96 Liquid Temperature Sensor 104 ROM 106 RAM 112 Controller 114 Drying Temperature Sensor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Takeshi Nakamura 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Yoko Yoko, 1250 Takematsu, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A stock solution replenishing means for replenishing a replenishing stock solution to a processing tank storing a processing solution for processing a light-sensitive material, a water replenishing means for replenishing water for diluting the replenishing stock solution into the processing tank, and a predetermined timing. A replenisher replenishing device for an automatic developing device, comprising: a replenisher replenishing means and a water replenishing means which are operated to supply a replenishing stock solution and water having a predetermined ratio as replenisher to the processing tank. There is a liquid temperature detecting means for detecting the liquid temperature of the processing liquid in the processing tank, an environmental information detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature and environmental humidity around the apparatus, and the environmental temperature and humidity and the liquid temperature of the processing liquid. Storage means for storing information relating to the predicted evaporation amount of water from the processing tank corresponding to the water content from the processing tank stored in the storage means corresponding to the information from the liquid temperature detecting means and the environmental information detecting means. Estimated evaporation of Replenisher replenishing device of an automatic developing apparatus is characterized in that it comprises, a water supply control unit for supplying water by actuating the water replenishing means based on information about. 2. The environment information detecting means, wherein the storage means stores the predicted evaporation amount of water with respect to the environmental temperature and the liquid temperature in each period in which one year is divided into a plurality of periods according to the relative humidity. 2. The replenisher replenishing device for an automatic developing device according to claim 1, wherein the date and the ambient temperature are read.