JPH0685076B2 - Image recording and developing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording / developing apparatus, and more specifically, an image recording mechanism for recording an image on a photographic light-sensitive material, and automatic development for automatically developing the photographic light-sensitive material after image recording is completed. An image recording / developing device including a mechanism, wherein an elastic member as a vibration absorbing means is interposed at a connecting portion between the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism, whereby vibration generated on the automatic developing mechanism side is generated. The present invention relates to an image recording / developing device capable of absorbing and accurately and smoothly performing image recording in an image recording mechanism.

Recently, a radiation image recording / reproducing system for obtaining a radiation transmission image of a subject by using a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor) has been developed, and in particular, it is being widely spread in the medical field. Here, the stimulable phosphor means radiation (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray, γ
(A ray, an electron beam, an ultraviolet ray, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and a phosphor that emits stimulated emission in response to the accumulated energy by irradiating excitation light such as visible light afterwards.

The above-mentioned radiation image recording / reproducing system uses this stimulable phosphor, and the radiation image information of the human body or the like is once recorded on a sheet having a layer made of the stimulable phosphor, and this stimulable phosphor sheet. To generate stimulated emission light by scanning with excitation light such as laser light, to obtain an image signal by photoelectrically reading the obtained stimulated emission light, recording material such as a photographic photosensitive material based on this image signal, The image is output to a CRT or the like as a visible image.

Here, when permanently recording the radiation image information once accumulated on the stimulable phosphor sheet on the recording material, an image recording device, for example, an image output laser printer device is adopted. That is, this device stores a film which is a recording material through a magazine and the like, and takes out the films one by one by a sheet-fed mechanism such as a suction plate, and then converts them into image signals obtained from a stimulable phosphor sheet. Based on this, the film is irradiated with laser light to record a predetermined image.

Therefore, in such a configuration, it is preferable that the film on which the new image is recorded is automatically conveyed into the automatic developing device. This is because it is economical because it does not need to be covered and requires manual labor, and there is no fear of exposing the film itself to noise light such as sunlight or room light during the manual transfer. From this viewpoint, the applicant has developed an image recording / developing device in which an image recording / developing device and an automatic developing device are integrally formed, and has filed a number of patent applications (Japanese Patent Application No. 60-218950, Japanese Patent Application No. 60-218950). Sho 60-232474, etc.). Therefore, generally, on the automatic developing device side, first, the film is conveyed into a developing tank storing a developing solution for development, and then passed through a fixing tank storing a fixing solution for fixing processing. After that, the processing solution is removed by carrying the washing water into a water tank for storing the washing water, or by spraying the washing water directly onto the film by spraying or the like to carry out the development processing work of the film.

Next, this film is dried by squeezing the water adhering to the film with a roller or the like that constitutes a squeeze part, then being conveyed to a drying part and being blown with warm air (about 55 ° C.),
After that, it is stored in a predetermined place and used for medical diagnosis and the like as needed.

By the way, in the image recording / developing apparatus, when connecting the image recording apparatus and the automatic developing apparatus, the consistency of a passage communicating between the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism is ensured, and the image recording apparatus is automatically developed. The image recording device and the automatic developing device are firmly connected to each other in order to reliably obtain a light-shielded state so that noise light such as sunlight is not applied to the film conveyed to the film.

In this case, the automatic developing device is provided with a blower or the like for blowing warm air to the film in order to dry the film which has been subjected to the developing treatment, as described above,
The blower or the like causes the automatic developing device to vibrate considerably.

This vibration is transmitted to the image recording device that is firmly connected to the automatic developing device, and may adversely affect the image recording work of the image recording device. That is, during the image recording process, when the image recording apparatus side vibrates, the laser light for recording an image on the film is disturbed, and the film cannot be irradiated with the laser light at a predetermined position. The disadvantage is that it becomes impossible to obtain the desired image. In addition, if the image is to be used for medical diagnosis or the like, the possibility of making a misdiagnosis or the like cannot be determined if the image information is used for diagnosis.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned inconveniences, and in connecting an image recording mechanism and an automatic developing mechanism to each other in an image recording and developing apparatus including an image recording mechanism and an automatic developing mechanism. An elastic body such as rubber or urethane is interposed as a vibration absorbing means between the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism, and the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism are connected by a bolt or the like fitted to the elastic body. Is fixed to an accurate position, thereby ensuring the consistency of the passage that connects the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism, and transmitting the vibration generated by the automatic developing mechanism to the image recording mechanism side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording / developing apparatus capable of accurately and smoothly performing the image recording process by the image recording mechanism while avoiding the inconvenience as much as possible.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image recording mechanism for irradiating a photographic light-sensitive material with a laser beam having image information to record a predetermined image, and a first casing in which the image recording mechanism is arranged. An automatic developing mechanism for automatically developing the photographic light-sensitive material after image recording, a second casing provided with the automatic developing mechanism, and outer wall surfaces of the first and second casings facing each other. A vibration absorbing mechanism that is interposed between the first casing and the second casing, and that integrally includes the vibration absorbing mechanism, the vibration absorbing mechanism including an elastic body, and the elastic body includes the first and second elastic bodies. It is characterized in that it is fitted in a pair of recesses defined correspondingly to the outer wall surfaces of the casing that are separated by a predetermined distance.

Preferred embodiments of the image recording / developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2, reference numeral 10 indicates an image recording / developing apparatus according to the present invention. The image recording / developing apparatus 10 includes an image recording mechanism 12 and an automatic developing mechanism 14, and the automatic developing mechanism 14 is It basically comprises a film processing section 16 and a film drying section 18.

A film loading port 20 is provided on the upper front surface of the image recording mechanism 12, and a film stacking unit 22 is formed on the upper portion of the image recording mechanism 12. A chamber 24 defined in the image recording mechanism 12 communicates with the outside through the film loading port 20, and a film magazine 26 is detachably attached to the image recording mechanism 12 from the film loading port 20.

A plurality of films F are stacked and stored in the film magazine 26, and the film take-out opening 27 provided in the film magazine 26 is openable in the chamber 24. In this case, a single-wafer mechanism including a suction plate 28 facing the opening 27 is provided in the chamber 24, a roller pair 29 is arranged below the suction plate 28, and below the roller pair 29. Is provided with two pairs of rollers 30 and 31 for conveying the film F. A drum 32 is arranged below the roller pair 31 in the vertical direction, and a pair of rollers 34 and 36 arranged in parallel on the drum 32 are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction. Further, an endless conveyor belt 38 is provided extending from below the drum 32 in the vertical direction.

In this case, the upper portion and the lower portion of the conveyor belt 38 are bent and extend in the horizontal direction and in the opposite directions, respectively, and the roller 39 contacts the lower bent portion of the conveyor belt 38. Further, an endless transfer belt 40 is slidably contacted with the transfer belt 38. The upper end portion side of the conveyor belt 40 is bent in the horizontal direction and extends to face the film carry-out port 42 which communicates with the adjacent automatic developing mechanism 14.

The film outlet 42 is provided with a first opening 42a provided substantially on the image recording mechanism 12 side, a second opening 42b provided on the automatic developing mechanism 14 side, the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism. And a light blocking elastic member 42c having an opening corresponding to the first opening 42a and the second opening 42b. A detection sensor 43 for detecting the presence / absence of the film F being conveyed to the film outlet 42.
And the carrying-out port closing means, that is, the shutter member 44.

Incidentally, between the roller pair 29 and 30, between the roller pair 31 and the drum 32, and between the drum 32 and the conveyor belt 38, for example,
If a guide plate or the like is provided, the film F can be preferably conveyed.

Further, in the image recording mechanism 12, a laser optical system 46 for irradiating the film F conveyed to the drum 32 with laser light from between the rollers 34 and 36 is provided. The laser optical system 46 basically comprises a laser tube 48, an optical modulator 50, an optical deflector 52, a scanning lens 54, and reflecting mirrors 56 and 58.

The image recording mechanism 12 thus configured is provided with a control unit 60 for controlling the drive of the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism 14.

On the other hand, in the film processing section 16 which constitutes the automatic developing mechanism 14, a film detection section 66 is provided near the upper end side of the conveyor belt 40. The detection unit 66 includes an insertion roller 68, a detection roller 70, and a micro switch 72. The detection roller 70 is provided with a film F to be conveyed when the film F is inserted between the detection roller 70 and the insertion roller 68. It is configured to be displaced vertically upward. The micro switch 72 detects that one film F is inserted between the detection roller 70 and the insertion roller 68.

A first rack 74 is provided adjacent to the detection unit 66.
The first rack 74 includes a curved guide plate, and functions to send the film F passing through the detection unit 66 to the developing unit 76 with its traveling direction deviated by 90 °.

A developing solution is stored in a tank 78 that constitutes the developing section 76, and a developing rack 80 including a plurality of rollers and guide plates is provided in the tank 78. A second rack 82 composed of rollers and guide plates is provided at the end of the developing rack 80, and a fixing portion 84 is formed on the outlet side of the second rack 82 and has a plurality of rollers and guide plates. It is close to the fuser rack 86. The fixing rack 86 is a tank 88.
Installed in the fixing solution stored in the fixing rack 86, and at the end of the fixing rack 86, a third member including a roller and a guide plate.
Racks 90 are provided. A washing rack 94 that constitutes a washing section 92 is disposed on the outlet side of the third rack 90, and the washing rack 94 is immersed in the washing water stored in a tank 96, and its exit side is made into a squeeze section 98. I am facing. The squeeze unit 98 is composed of rollers and guide plates, and functions to displace the film F conveyed vertically upward from the water washing unit 92 and convey it to the film drying unit 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film drying section 18 is disposed above the film processing section 16 and closes the opening 99 of the film processing section 16. The upper surface of the film drying unit 18 is inclined downward as it is directed rearward, and support pins 100a and 100b are attached to both sides of the rear part of the film drying unit 18 to attach the film drying unit 18 to the film processing unit 16. The shaft is pivotally supported. Although the film drying unit 18 is inclined vertically upward with respect to the image recording mechanism 12 side, if the support pins 100a and 100b, which are the center of rotation, are arranged a predetermined distance above the illustrated position, It will be readily appreciated that the film dryer 18 could be provided to extend horizontally from the film stack 22.

The film drying unit 18 includes a roller group 102a composed of a plurality of rollers contacting one surface side of the film F, and a plurality of rollers contacting the other surface side of the film F and arranged alternately with the roller group 102a. And a roller group 102b made up of are arranged so as to be inclined toward the image recording mechanism 12 side in the vertical direction. A plurality of air blowing pipes 104a facing the respective rollers of the roller group 102b are provided on the roller group 102a side, and a plurality of air blowing pipes 104b facing the rollers of the roller group 102a are arranged on the roller group 102b side. I have set up. In this case, slit-like dry air blowing openings 106a and 106b for ejecting warm air toward the film F conveyed between the roller groups 102a and 102b are formed in the air blowing tubes 104a and 104b. .

A dry air supply unit 110 is connected to the film drying unit 18 via a duct 108. The dry air supply unit 110 has a thermostat, an electric heater, a fan, etc., and is configured to supply hot air of a predetermined temperature (about 55 ° C.) to the film drying unit 18. In this case, since the film drying unit 18 is swingable with respect to the film processing unit 16, the duct 108 is formed of, for example, a bellows-shaped heat-resistant resin material, or the duct 108 is formed at the swing center of the film drying unit 18. It is desirable to connect the duct 108 and the film drying section 18 via a rotary joint or the like.

A pair of roller pairs 112 is provided on the exit side of the film drying unit 18, the roller pair 112 is provided, and the roller pair 112 is provided.
A film discharge port 114 is formed in the vicinity of. The film outlet 114 is the film stacking unit 2 of the image recording mechanism 12.
Let's face 2.

The automatic developing mechanism 14 thus configured is integrally fixed to the image recording mechanism 12. In this case, when the automatic developing mechanism 14 is operated, vibration is caused by a fan or the like incorporated in the automatic developing mechanism 14, and this vibration is transmitted to the image recording mechanism 12 to disturb the laser beam or the like. May cause. For this reason, when the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism 14 are joined, a vibration absorbing means made of an elastic body or the like is provided at the joining portion.

That is, a plurality of concave portions 122a to 122d are formed on the joint surface 120 on the image recording mechanism 12 side, and the joint surface 124 of the automatic developing mechanism 14 corresponds to and has substantially the same shape as the concave portions 122a to 122d. Recesses 126a to 126d exhibiting the are formed.
In this case, the recesses 122a to 122d and the recesses 126a to 12d
Holes 123a to 123d and holes 127a to 127d are formed in the end face portions defining 6d, respectively. Then, the vibration absorbing means 130a is provided between the recess 122a and the recess 126a, between the recess 122b and the recess 126b, between the recess 122c and the recess 126c, and between the recess 122d and the recess 126d.
To 130d are provided.

It should be noted that the vibration absorbing means 130a to 130d have substantially the same structure, and therefore one vibration absorbing means is used here.
Regarding the other vibration absorbing means 130b to 130d, the same components as those of the vibration absorbing means 130a will be denoted by reference numerals b to d, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration absorbing means 130a includes a cylindrical elastic body 132a extending from a concave portion 122a formed on the image recording mechanism 12 side to a concave portion 126a formed on the automatic developing mechanism 14 side, and the concave portion. A nut member 133a integrally fixed from the inside of the automatic developing mechanism 14 is included in an end surface portion defining 126a. In this case, the length of the elastic body 132a is selected to be longer than the gap between the concave portions 122a and 126a, and is used as a crushing margin when the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism 14 are joined together. Thus, a slight gap is formed between the joint surface 120 on the image recording mechanism 12 side and the joint surface 124 on the automatic developing mechanism 14 side. In addition, a hole formed in the elastic body 132a substantially in the center thereof.
134a is disposed so as to be substantially coaxial with the holes 123a and 127a.

Next, the bolt 136a is inserted into the holes 123a and 127a and the hole 134a from the image recording mechanism 12 side. At that time, a ring-shaped elastic member 138a is interposed between the head portion of the bolt 136a and the end surface portion forming the recess 122a, and the bolt 13
The tip of 6a is projected from the hole 127a and screwed and tightened to the nut member 133a. As a result, the central portion of the elastic body 132a bulges slightly outward in the circumferential direction, and the joint surfaces 120 and 124 are integrated with each other while being pressed by the action of the elastic body 132a.

When the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism 14 which are connected via the vibration absorbing means 130a to 130d as described above are conveyed in an integrated state, these joint surfaces 120 and 1
For example, a ring-shaped spacer 140 formed of metal or the like may be provided in the vicinity of the vibration absorbing means 130a to 130d at intervals formed by 24. That is, the joint surface
Holes 142 and 144 are formed in the holes 120 and 124, respectively, and these holes 14 and
2, 144 and a bolt 146 penetrating the hole formed in the spacer 140 and a nut member 148 screwed to the bolt 146.
Therefore, it is preferable that the spacer 140 be conveyed while the spacer 140 is interposed therebetween. In this case, the image recording mechanism is
The holes 142 and 144 formed in 12 and the automatic developing mechanism 14 are shielded with a tape (not shown) or another plug member in order to shield light.

The image recording / developing apparatus according to the present embodiment is basically constructed as described above. Next, its operation and effect will be explained.

First, when the film magazine 26 is inserted into the image recording mechanism 12 through the film loading port 20, the opening 27 of the film magazine 26 is opened into the chamber 24. Then, the sheet-fed mechanism including the suction plate 28 is driven under the driving action of the control unit 60, and the film F is taken out from the film magazine 26 one by one by the suction plate 28. The film F taken out is a roller pair 2
Drum 32 and roller 3 carried by 9, 30, and 31
It is sandwiched between 4, 36.

Here, the image signal obtained from the accumulative phosphor sheet in the image reading unit (not shown) is previously sent to the control unit 60, and the driving operation of the control unit 60 is performed based on this image signal. In addition, the laser optical system 46 preferably operates. That is, the laser light emitted from the laser tube 48 by the image signal is modulated by the optical modulator 50 based on the image information,
The modulated laser light reaches the optical deflector 52, is subjected to main scanning deflection, and is condensed by the scanning lens 54, and thereafter, is reflected from between the rollers 34 and 36 via the reflecting mirrors 56 and 58 to the film F.
Is irradiated. At this time, the optical deflector 52, the scanning lens 54, the reflecting mirrors 56, 58, etc. are displaced by a predetermined amount, and a predetermined image is recorded on the film F.

After the image recording is completed, the film F is sandwiched between the conveyor belts 38 and 40 and is conveyed vertically upward from the lower side of the image recording mechanism 12 and then formed between the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism 14. After passing through the film carry-out port 42, it reaches the detection unit 66.

Next, the detection sensor 43 detects the film F, and the shutter member 44 is driven to open the film outlet 42. The shutter member 44 is closed again when the detection sensor 43 detects the completion of passage of the film F, that is, when the film F is completely conveyed to the automatic developing mechanism 14 side. In this way, the image recording mechanism 12 and the automatic developing mechanism
It will be isolated from 14 except when necessary.

When the film F passes through the detecting section 66, the micro switch 72 is turned on and the film F is automatically developed.
Determine that it has been loaded into And the detection unit
The film F that has passed through 66 is first driven by the control unit 60.
It is transferred vertically downward through the rack 74, then sandwiched by the developing rack 80 and immersed in the developing solution in the tank 78. Further, the film F is conveyed to the side of the second rack 82 with its traveling direction deviated by 180 ° in the tank 78. The film F that has reached the second rack 82 is transferred to the fixing rack 86 with its traveling direction deviated by 180 ° via a guide plate and rollers provided inside the second rack 82, and the fixing unit 8
It is introduced into the fixer stored in the tank 88 inside the tank 4. Then, the film F is transferred upward in the vertical direction similarly to the developing section 76, and is further conveyed in the vertical direction via the third rack 90, and then, the tank 96 of the water washing section 92 is passed through the water washing rack 94.
It is washed in water. Film F after rinsing is squeeze part
After being transported to 98 and squeezing water adhering thereto, the film is introduced into the film drying section 18.

In this case, the film F has roller groups 102a and 102b on both side surfaces.
Water transferred to the film F by the hot air of about 55 ° C. ejected from the dry air blowing openings 106a and 106b of the plurality of air blowing tubes 104a and 104b on the way. All evaporate. Therefore, finally, the film stacking unit 22 from the film discharge port 114 via the roller pair 112.
The film F is preferably dried when it is transported to.

By the way, when the automatic developing mechanism 14 performs the steps of developing, fixing, washing and drying the film F,
This vibration generated by a drive system, a fan, and the like (not shown) incorporated in the automatic developing mechanism 14 gives an inconvenience to the image recording of the laser optical system 46 on the film F as described above. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the automatic developing mechanism 14 and the image recording mechanism 12 include the vibration absorbing means 130a through 130a.
It is connected by 130d. For this reason, the elastic bodies 132a to 132d that constitute the vibration absorbing means 130a to 130d
It can be absorbed by 132d and the elastic bodies 138a to 138d. Therefore, the image recording process by the laser optical system 46 can be performed accurately without unnecessary vibration being transmitted to the image recording mechanism 12.

In this way, after the image recording / developing apparatus 10 is operated for a predetermined time, the racks 82, 90, the squeeze unit 98, etc. constituting the automatic developing mechanism 14 are regularly held and managed.
In this case, as described above, the film drying unit 18 is configured to be swingable with respect to the film processing unit 16, and therefore,
When the film drying unit 18 is lifted in the direction of arrow A, the opening 99 of the film processing unit 16 is opened to the outside. Therefore, it is sufficient to remove the developer, the fixer, and other stains attached to the racks 82, 90 and the squeeze portion 98. At this time, replenishment or replacement of the developing solution, the fixing solution, and the washing water can be carried out as required.

When the above work is completed in this way, the film drying unit
18 is rocked in the direction of arrow B and placed on the film processing unit 16.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the image recording / developing apparatus including the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism, when the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism are integrally connected, the image An elastic body that constitutes vibration absorbing means is interposed between the recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism so that the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism do not come into direct contact with each other. Further, the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism are respectively provided with concave portions directed inward at the portion where the vibration absorbing means is arranged, and the elastic body is engaged with the concave portions to reliably position the concave portions. I am trying. For this reason, not only the consistency of the passage that connects the image recording mechanism and the automatic developing mechanism can be ensured and the space occupied by the image recording and developing apparatus can be reduced to effectively use the narrow space, Vibration generated due to driving of a drive system provided in the automatic developing mechanism and driving of a fan can be absorbed by the vibration absorbing means as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to obtain the advantage that the image recording process can be accurately performed without the vibration being transmitted to the image recording mechanism, and thus without causing the disturbance of the laser beam or the like.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
It goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording / developing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the image recording / developing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of the image recording / developing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 10 ... Image recording / developing device, 12 ... Image recording mechanism 14 ... Automatic developing mechanism, 18 ... Film drying section 20 ... Film loading port, 22 ... Film stacking section 26 ... Film magazine, 46 ... Laser Optical system 60 ... Control unit, 66 ... Detection unit 76 ... Development unit, 84 ... Fixing unit 92 ... Washing unit, 110 ... Dry air feeding unit 122a to 122d, 126 to 125d ... Concave portion 132a ... 132d ... elastic body, 138-138d ... elastic member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image recording mechanism for irradiating a photographic light-sensitive material with a laser beam having image information to record a predetermined image, a first casing in which the image recording mechanism is provided, and after the image recording is completed. An automatic developing mechanism for automatically developing a photographic light-sensitive material; a second casing in which the automatic developing mechanism is provided; and a first casing and a second casing, which are interposed between outer wall surfaces facing each other, A vibration absorbing mechanism that integrally connects the first casing and the second casing; and the vibration absorbing mechanism includes an elastic body, and the elastic body is separated from the first and second casings by a predetermined distance. An image recording and developing device, characterized in that the image recording and developing device is fitted into a pair of recesses defined correspondingly to the outer wall surface. 2. The image recording / developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbing mechanism includes a bolt member penetrating the elastic body and a nut member screwed to the bolt member.