Printer and digital camera with printer

Abstract

The invention provides a printer and a digital camera with the printer, wherein a photoelectric interrupter which outputs a rotation detection signal of a member which rotates in conjunction with conveyance of a recording medium can be accurately positioned through a simple operation and an increase in cost can be suppressed. A printer is provided with: an encoder plate (71) in which slits are formed in a radial pattern; a photoelectric interrupter (72) that emits light to and receives light from the encoder plate (71) and outputs a rotation detection signal; a fixed slit plate (73) for limiting the light irradiated by the photoelectric interrupter; and a positioning part for positioning the photoelectric interrupter (72) with respect to the fixed slit plate (73), the positioning part having a reference holding part and a deformable holding part provided at a position facing the reference holding part, the deformable holding part being deformed to hold the photoelectric interrupter (72).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a printer and a digital camera with the printer. Background Art

[0002] The printer described in Patent Document 1 records an image on instant film. The printer includes: a pair of conveyor rollers; a pair of spreading rollers positioned downstream of the conveyor rollers in the conveying direction, sandwiching the instant film and spreading the developer; a motor that imparts rotational driving force to both the conveyor rollers and the spreading rollers; and a gear train that transmits the motor's rotational driving force to the conveyor rollers and the spreading rollers. The gear train includes: a first sub-gear train that transmits the rotational driving force from the motor midway; a second sub-gear train that directly receives the rotational driving force from the first sub-gear train and transmits it to the conveyor rollers; and a third sub-gear train that directly receives the rotational driving force from the first sub-gear train and transmits it to the spreading rollers.

[0003] The printer described in Patent Document 2 includes an exposure device, and the exposure device body includes a cleaning unit movably mounted, a motor for driving the cleaning unit, and gears and belts for transmitting the driving force of the motor to the cleaning unit.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-300838

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-290157 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One embodiment of the technology according to the present invention provides a printer and a digital camera with a printer that can accurately position and output a rotation detection signal of a component that rotates in conjunction with the conveyance of a recording medium through simple operation, while suppressing cost increases.

[0007] A printer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an encoder plate, a photointerrupter, a fixed slit plate, and a positioning unit. The encoder plate rotates in conjunction with the transport of a recording medium and has radial slits formed therein. The photointerrupter irradiates and receives light from the encoder plate and outputs a rotation detection signal. The fixed slit plate limits the light irradiated by the photointerrupter. The positioning unit positions the photointerrupter relative to the fixed slit plate and includes a reference holding portion and a deformable holding portion disposed opposite the reference holding portion, the deformable holding portion deforming to hold the photointerrupter.

[0008] The photointerrupter is preferably held by being sandwiched between the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion.

[0009] The deformable holding portion is preferably a protrusion that protrudes in the circumferential direction of the encoder plate.

[0010] The protrusion amount of the deformable holding portion is preferably within the outer shape tolerance range of the photointerrupter.

[0011] Preferably, the positioning portion has an opening portion for accommodating at least a portion of the photointerrupter, and the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion are located inside the opening portion.

[0012] Preferably, when the photointerrupter is accommodated in the opening, the deformable holding portion is pressed by the photointerrupter and deformed.

[0013] It is preferable to provide a fixing member that fixes the photointerrupter positioned by the positioning portion.

[0014] Preferably, a case member is provided for holding the encoder plate and the positioning portion, and the fixing member is a fastening member fastened to the case member.

[0015] It is preferable that a conveying roller for conveying the recording medium is provided, and the encoder plate is provided coaxially with the conveying roller.

[0016] The recording medium is preferably an instant film, and the apparatus includes an exposure head for exposing the instant film to record an image.

[0017] In one embodiment of the technology of the present invention, the digital camera with a printer comprises: the above-mentioned printer; and an imaging element for photographing a subject, wherein the recording medium is instant film, and the printer comprises an exposure head for exposing the image photographed by the imaging element onto the instant film. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front side perspective view of a digital camera with a printer.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a central longitudinal section view of a digital camera with a printer.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the rear side of a digital camera with a printer, with the loading cover in the closed position.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional image of an instant film packaging box.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of an instant film packaging box.

[0023] Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view of an instant film packaging box.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of an instant film.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the printer unit.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the printer unit with the housing, exposure head, rotation detection sensor, etc. omitted.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the printer unit.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a rotation detection sensor.

[0029] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the printer unit.

[0030] Figure 13 The following are top views of the encoder board (A) and the photointerrupter (B).

[0031] Figure 14 This is an exploded perspective view of the rotation detection sensor and a perspective view of the cover component.

[0032] Figure 15 It is a top view of the cover component.

[0033] Figure 16 It is along Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the cover component taken along line XVI-XVI.

[0034] Figure 17 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to attach the photointerrupter to the cover member.

[0035] Figure 18 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the dimensions of the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion in the accommodation portion.

[0036] Figure 19 These are explanatory diagrams for explaining the process of positioning the photointerrupter by the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion, showing the states before (A) and after (B) being held by the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion.

[0037] Figure 20 This is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional printer in which a photointerrupter is incorporated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] [First embodiment]

[0039] [Overview of Digital Cameras with Printers]

[0040] exist Figure 1In the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera with a printer 10 comprises a camera body 11, an image pickup unit 12, and a printer section 13. An image pickup window 15 and a release switch 16 are provided on the front surface of the camera body 11. The image pickup window 15 is arranged at the center of the front surface of the camera body 11. The image pickup window 15 allows the image pickup optical system 19 (see FIG. 1 ) constituting the image pickup unit 12 to be viewed from the camera body 11. Figure 2 ) exposed.

[0041] The camera body 11 is in the shape of a vertically long rectangle when viewed from the front. The digital camera 10 with a printer uses an instant film 28 (see FIG. 28 ) as a sheet-like recording medium. Figure 7 The instant film 28 is, for example, a card-type instant film. Furthermore, the invention is not limited thereto, and a square or wide-angle instant film may also be used. The instant film 28 is equivalent to the recording medium in the technical solution.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the imaging unit 12 is provided with an imaging optical system 19 and an imaging element 20. The imaging element 20 is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a light-receiving surface composed of a plurality of pixels (not shown) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element, which photoelectrically converts the subject image formed on the light-receiving surface by the imaging optical system 19 into an imaging signal.

[0043] The imaging element 20 includes signal processing circuits such as a noise cancellation circuit, an automatic gain controller, and an A / D converter circuit (none of which are shown). The noise cancellation circuit applies noise cancellation to the image signal. The automatic gain controller amplifies the image signal level to an optimal value. The A / D converter circuit converts the image signal into a digital signal and outputs it from the imaging element 20 to a built-in memory (not shown). The output signal from the imaging element 20 is image data (so-called RAW data) with one color signal per pixel.

[0044] By pressing the release switch 16, the imaging element 20 is driven to capture an image of a subject. A film discharge port 21 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 11. From the film discharge port 21, an instant film 28 on which an image has been printed is discharged.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, a loading cover 22 is attached to the back side of the camera body 11 via a hinge portion 22a. The hinge portion 22a is in the open position ( Figure 2 The solid line position) and the closed position ( Figure 2The loading cover 22 is rotatably supported between the camera body 11 and the loading cover 22 (indicated by the two-dot chain line). Furthermore, a locking mechanism and a lock release mechanism (not shown) are provided between the camera body 11 and the loading cover 22. The locking mechanism holds the loading cover 22 in the closed position, and when the lock release mechanism is actuated, the loading cover 22 rotates from the closed position to the open position.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the instant film package 24 containing the instant film 28 is loaded into the loading chamber 23. The loading cover 22 is provided with a plurality of film pressing portions 22b on its inner surface.

[0047] When the instant film package 24 is loaded in the loading chamber 23 and the loading cover 22 is in the closed position, the plurality of film pressing portions 22b pass through the opening 32a (refer to FIG. Figure 7 ) Enter the interior of the instant film packaging box 24 and press the film pressing plate 27 (refer to Figure 7 ). As a result, the instant film 28 in the instant film package 24 is pressed in the stacking direction.

[0048] A rear display unit 17 and an operation unit 18 are provided on the outer surface of the loading cap 22, i.e., on the rear surface of the camera body 11. The rear display unit 17 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or an OELD (Organic Electroluminescent Display). Image data corresponding to a single frame output from the imaging element 20 is sequentially input to the rear display unit 17 and displayed as a live view image.

[0049] When the photographer presses the release switch 16, shooting begins. During shooting, image data is acquired from the imaging element 20. This image data is subjected to known image processing and then compression by an image processing unit (not shown). Examples of image processing include matrix operations, demosaicing, gamma correction, brightness conversion, color difference conversion, and resizing. The processed and compressed image data is stored in a built-in memory (not shown), such as a flash memory, provided within the camera body 11.

[0050] When the menu switch of the operation unit 18 is pressed, an image is reproduced and displayed on the rear display unit 17 based on the image data stored in the internal memory. When the image to be printed is displayed on the rear display unit 17, the photographer presses the print switch of the operation unit 18 to start printing by the printer unit 13.

[0051] [Structure of instant film packaging box]

[0052] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the instant film package 24 includes a housing 26 , a film pressing plate 27 , a plurality of instant films 28 , and a film cover 30 .

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, the housing 26 houses a plurality of instant films 28 and a film cover 30 stacked together. The housing 26 is formed of a material such as a thermoplastic resin or a paper resin obtained by mixing cellulose with a thermoplastic resin. The housing 26 comprises a box-shaped housing member 31 and a cover 32 that covers an opening formed on the back side of the housing member 31.

[0054] An exposure opening 31a for exposing the instant film 28 is formed on the housing member 31. In the following, the surface of the instant film package box 24 on which the exposure opening 31a is formed will be described as the "front surface", the surface opposite to the "front surface" will be described as the "back surface", the surface opposite to the film discharge port 21 of the camera body 11 will be described as the "upper surface", and the surface opposite to the "upper surface" will be described as the "bottom surface". Inside the housing member 31, a film cover 30 is stacked on the front surface of the frontmost layer of instant film 28 initially placed in the exposure opening 31a. Thus, the exposure opening 31a is light-tightly blocked by the film cover 30. In addition, a well-known claw component 59 (see FIG. 5 ) for being provided on the camera is provided at the lower portion of the exposure opening 31a. Figure 8 and Figure 9 ) enters the notch 31b. The notch 31b is a linear notch through which the claw member 59 passes when feeding the instant film 28 or the film cover 30. The notch 31b is connected from the lower portion of the exposure opening 31a to the bottom surface of the housing member 31.

[0055] A delivery port 31c is formed on the upper surface of the housing member 31. The delivery port 31c is slit-shaped. The instant film 28 or the film cover 30 is delivered one by one from the delivery port 31c to the exterior of the instant film package 24 by means of a claw member 59 inserted into the notch 31b of the housing member 31.

[0056] A light-shielding seal 31d is attached to the housing 31 to block the delivery port 31c from the outside. The light-shielding seal 31d is formed in a flexible sheet shape. The light-shielding seal 31d is attached only to one long edge of the delivery port 31c to prevent it from becoming an obstruction when the instant film 28 or film cover 30 passes through the delivery port 31c.

[0057] The cover 32 has a pair of openings 32a, a pair of unit support protrusions 32b, a pair of rivet pins 32c, and a support piece 32d. The pair of openings 32a are formed vertically at a predetermined interval and serve as an entrance for the film pressing portion 22b provided in the digital camera with a printer 10 when the digital camera with a printer 10 is installed.

[0058] A pair of unit support protrusions 32b are provided longitudinally on either side of the cover 32, each in an arcuate shape with its center portion protruding toward the exposure opening 31a. The unit support protrusions 32b contact the inner edges of the last layer of instant film 28, pushing the film 28 upward into an arcuate shape with its center portion protruding toward the exposure opening 31a. This prevents the formation of a gap between the film mask 30 and the exposure opening 31a.

[0059] The pair of rivet pins 32c are used to attach the film pressing plate 27. The support piece 32d supports the central portion of the last layer of instant film 28 from behind to prevent the central portion of the instant film 28 from bending in the direction of bending toward the cover 32.

[0060] The film pressing plate 27 is composed of two sheets 27a and 27b made of elastic synthetic resin. When the loading lid 22 is closed, the sheet 27a is pressed by the multiple film pressing portions 22b, bending so that it bulges toward the lid 32. The sheet 27a has an opening 27c and a pair of holes 27d formed in it. The opening 27c is formed longitudinally in the center of the sheet 27a for insertion of the support piece 32d. A pair of rivet pins 32c are inserted into the holes 27d to secure the film pressing plate 27 to the lid 32.

[0061] Sheet 27b is formed with an opening 27e and a pair of holes 27f. Opening 27e is formed in the center of sheet 27a for insertion of support sheet 32d. A pair of rivet pins 32c are inserted into the pair of holes 27f. The lower end 27h of sheet 27b is attached to the lower end 27g of sheet 27a. This prevents sheet 27a from loosening and light leakage through the pair of openings 32a. Furthermore, when sheet 27a is elastically bent by the multiple film pressing portions 22b, the instant film 28 is pushed upward in a substantially flat manner. As a result, the frontmost film cover 30 or the instant film 28 is pressed against the inner side of the front surface of the housing member 31.

[0062] [Structure of instant film]

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, the developing film 28 is a so-called single-sheet film, consisting of a mask sheet 33, a photosensitive sheet 34, a cover sheet 35, a developer container 36, and a collection portion 37. The mask sheet 33 is formed of a relatively thin synthetic resin sheet and has an image opening 33a. The photosensitive sheet 34 is provided with a photosensitive layer, a diffuse reflection layer, an image receiving layer, and the like. The cover sheet 35 has an exposure surface 28a that faces the exposure head 50, described later.

[0064] The developer liquid bag 36 is formed into a generally bag-like shape and contains a developer liquid 38. The developer liquid bag 36 is attached to the end of the photosensitive film 34 on the side of the delivery port 31c and is wrapped by the end of the mask sheet 33. The collecting portion 37 is attached to the end of the photosensitive film 34 on the side opposite to the delivery port 31c and is also wrapped by the end of the mask sheet 33.

[0065] During printing, printing light strikes the photosensitive layer of the developing film 28, exposing it to light. During development, the developer sac 36 ruptures, allowing developer 38 to flow into the gap 39 between the photosensitive film 34 and the cover sheet 35 and expand. The image formed by the exposure of the photosensitive layer is reversed by the diffuse reflection layer and transferred to the image receiving layer. This creates a positive image on the image viewing surface 40 of the photosensitive film 34, which is exposed through the image opening 33a.

[0066] The film cover 30 is formed into a thin sheet and has light-shielding properties and flexibility. When the instant film package 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23 and used, the film cover 30 passes through the unwinding roller 54 (see FIG. Figure 8 and Figure 9 ) is discharged to the film discharge outlet 21.

[0067] [Structure of the Printer Unit]

[0068] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the printer unit 13 is composed of an exposure head 50, a housing member 51 (refer to Figure 10 ), roller drive mechanism 52, a pair of conveying rollers 53, a pair of unfolding rollers 54, an unfolding control component 55, a front end detection switch 56, a rotation detection sensor 57, a cover component 58 (reference Figure 10 and Figure 12 ), a claw member 59, a claw member driving mechanism 61 and a control unit 62. The printer unit 13 is equivalent to the printer in the technical solution.

[0069] In addition, Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the figure, the shell component 51 and the like are omitted to avoid complication, but in fact, the printer section 13 is formed by installing the exposure head 50, the roller driving mechanism 52, the conveying roller 53, the unfolding roller 54, the unfolding control component 55, the front end detection switch 56, the rotation detection sensor 57, the cover component 58, the claw component 59 and the claw component driving mechanism 61 on the shell component 51.

[0070] In the following description, the conveying direction of the instant film 28 by the conveying roller 53 is referred to as the Y direction, the width direction of the instant film 28 perpendicular to the Y direction is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is referred to as the Z direction.

[0071] like Figure 10 As shown, the housing member 51 is formed into a box shape with the back side of the camera body 11 open, and is integrally provided with the loading chamber 23. Figure 10 2 shows a state where the instant film package 24 is loaded in the loading chamber 23. The housing member 51 is formed of, for example, a resin material.

[0072] As described above, the instant film package 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23. The printer unit 13 records an image on the instant film 28 discharged from the instant film package 24.

[0073] [Structure of the conveying roller pair and the unwinding roller pair]

[0074] The transport roller 53 and the unwinding roller 54 are axially supported by bearings (not shown) provided in the housing member 51. The transport roller 53 and the unwinding roller 54 are rotationally driven by the roller drive mechanism 52, thereby transporting the film mask 30 and the instant film 28. The roller drive mechanism 52 includes, for example, a motor serving as a drive source and a drive transmission gear train for transmitting the rotational drive force.

[0075] The transport roller 53 is composed of a driving roller 65 and a pinch roller 66. The driving roller 65 and the pinch roller 66 are arranged at a position where the transport path of the instant film 28 is sandwiched between them (refer to Figure 8 The driving roller 65 is composed of a pair of cylindrical grip roller members 65a, a driving gear 65b, and a rotating shaft 65c that holds the grip roller members 65a and the driving gear 65b.

[0076] The pinch roller 66 consists of a roller member 66a, a drive gear 66b, and a rotating shaft 66c. Drive gears 65b and 66b are located at the ends of the rotating shafts 65c and 66c and mesh with each other. Furthermore, one end of the rotating shaft 65c is connected to the motor via a drive transmission gear train. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the drive roller 65 and the pinch roller 66 rotate synchronously. The instant film 28 discharged from the instant film packaging box 24 is conveyed by the conveyor roller 53 toward the unwinding roller 54.

[0077] The unwinding roller 54 is composed of unwinding rollers 67 and 68 and is positioned downstream of the conveying roller 53 in the conveying direction. The unwinding roller 67 is positioned on the side of the instant film 28 that faces the exposure surface 28a. The unwinding roller 68 is positioned on the side of the instant film 28 that faces the image observation surface 40. A motor is connected to one end of the unwinding rollers 67 and 68 via a drive transmission gear train. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the unwinding rollers 67 and 68 rotate synchronously.

[0078] The unwinding roller 54 holds the instant film 28 conveyed by the conveying roller 53 over its entire width and conveys it to the film outlet 21. The developer sac 36 of the instant film 28 is compressed by being clamped by the unwinding roller 54. As a result, the developer is compressed in the gap 39 (refer to FIG. Figure 7 ) in the expansion (extension).

[0079] The conveying roller 53 conveys the instant film 28 sent out from the instant film package 24 via the claw member 59 to the film discharge port 21. In addition, the exposure head 50 exposes the printing light to the exposure position EP (reference Figure 8 ) is located between the delivery port 31c of the instant film package 24 and the conveying roller 53. And, during the conveying by the conveying roller 53, exposure by the exposure head 50 is performed.

[0080] The control unit 62 controls the exposure of the exposure head 50 based on the image data. Exposure by the exposure head 50 is performed by sequentially exposing the line images onto the instant film 28 while moving the instant film 28 line by line. This exposes an image corresponding to one frame onto the photosensitive layer of the instant film 28. The instant film 28 is then continuously conveyed by the conveyor roller 53 toward the unwinding roller 54.

[0081] [Structure of the claw member and the claw member driving mechanism]

[0082] When the instant film package 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23 , the claw member 59 enters the interior of the housing 26 and delivers the instant films 28 to the outside of the instant film package 24 one by one.

[0083] The claw member 59 is a hook with a front end portion 59a bent into a C-shape (see Figure 8 ), the front end portion 59a engages and presses the base end portion of the instant film 28. The claw member 59 is driven to move in a straight line and in a rotational direction by a claw member driving mechanism 61. The claw member driving mechanism 61 is a well-known structure composed of a motor and a drive transmission gear train.

[0084] [Expand the structure of the control component]

[0085] like Figure 8 As shown, an expansion control member 55 is provided between the conveying roller 53 and the expansion roller 54 in the Y direction. The expansion control member 55 is formed in a plate shape extending in the X direction and is fixed to the housing member 51. The expansion control member 55 contacts the image viewing surface 40 of the conveyed instant film 28 and controls the distribution of the developer expanded in the gap 39 by rubbing the image viewing surface 40 of the instant film 28.

[0086] [Structure of the front detection switch]

[0087] The leading edge detection switch 56 is, for example, a mechanical switch and is located near the expansion control member 55. The leading edge detection switch 56 is turned on by being pressed by the leading edge of the instant film 28, and can detect the leading edge of the instant film 28.

[0088] The leading edge detection switch 56 is turned on by receiving a pressure from the leading edge of the instant film 28. The turned-on leading edge detection switch 56 outputs a signal to the control unit 62. The control unit 62, having received the signal from the leading edge detection switch 56, counts the output signal from the rotation detection sensor 57, and then drives the exposure head 50 to begin exposing the instant film 28 to an image.

[0089] [Structure of the rotation detection sensor]

[0090] like Figure 11 As shown, the rotation detection sensor 57 includes an encoder plate 71, a photointerrupter 72, and a fixed slit plate 73. The encoder plate 71 is disk-shaped and has a plurality of radially arranged slits 71A.

[0091] The encoder plate 71 is coaxially arranged with the driving roller 65, one of the conveying rollers 53. Specifically, the center portion of the encoder plate 71 is fixed to the rotating shaft 65c of the driving roller 65. Thus, when the driving roller 65 rotates, the encoder plate 71 rotates in conjunction with the conveyance of the instant film 28.

[0092] As described above, the driving roller 65 is held by the housing member 51, and therefore the encoder plate 71 provided integrally with the driving roller 65 is also supported by the housing member 51. The encoder plate 71 is arranged on the outside of the housing member 51. Figure 12 ) penetrates the encoder plate 71 and protrudes to the outside of the housing member 51.

[0093] like Figure 12 As shown, the photointerrupter 72 is an optical sensor having a light-emitting portion 72A and a light-receiving portion 72B. The photointerrupter 72 has a U-shaped outer shape, with the light-emitting portion 72A disposed at one end and the light-receiving portion 72B disposed at the other end, with the light-emitting portion 72A and the light-receiving portion 72B disposed at opposing positions. The light-emitting portion 72A is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The light-receiving portion 72B is, for example, a photodetector. The light-receiving portion 72B of the photointerrupter 72 receives light emitted by the light-emitting portion 72A. In this embodiment, an encoder plate 71 and a fixed slit plate 73 are disposed between the light-emitting portion 72A and the light-receiving portion 72B. The fixed slit plate 73 is located on the light-emitting portion 72A side relative to the encoder plate 71. A light aperture slit 73A is formed on the fixed slit plate 73.

[0094] like Figure 13 (A) and Figure 13 As shown in (B), the widthwise dimension L21 and the lengthwise dimension L22 of the optical aperture slit 73A of the fixed slit plate 73 are smaller than the widthwise dimension L11 and the lengthwise dimension L12 of the slit 71A of the encoder plate 71. Thus, the fixed slit plate 73 limits the light emitted by the light-emitting portion 72A of the photointerrupter 72, and the light-receiving portion 72B receives the light at the amount limited by the fixed slit plate 73. The widthwise direction herein refers to the circumferential direction R of the encoder plate 71, and the lengthwise direction refers to the radial direction D of the encoder plate 71.

[0095] When slit 71A passes between light emitting section 72A and light receiving section 72B, the light emitted by light emitting section 72A is not blocked and is received by light receiving section 72B, and photointerrupter 72 outputs an on signal. On the other hand, when slit 71A does not pass between light emitting section 72A and light receiving section 72B, that is, when encoder plate 71 blocks the light emitted by light emitting section 72A, light receiving section 72B does not receive the light, and photointerrupter 72 outputs an off signal. In this way, photointerrupter 72 can output a rotation detection signal that detects the rotation of encoder plate 71.

[0096] The control unit 62, having received the signal from the front end detection switch 56, counts the rotation detection signal from the photointerrupter 72. When the control unit 62 counts a predetermined number of rotation detection signals, the front end of the exposure surface 28a of the film 28 reaches the exposure position EP. The control unit 62 then drives the exposure head 50 to begin exposing the image to the exposure surface 28a. This allows the exposure head 50 to accurately expose the image in accordance with the position of the exposure surface 28a.

[0097] [Structure of the cover member]

[0098] like Figure 14 As shown, cover member 58 covers encoder plate 71 attached to case member 51 and arranged outside case member 51. Cover member 58 includes cover body 74, fixing portions 75A and 75B, accommodating portion 76, and contact portion 77.

[0099] like Figure 15 As shown, the cover body 74 has a semicircular portion 74A, a rectangular portion 74B, and a fitting hole 74C, and its outer shape is formed to be larger than the encoder plate 71. The semicircular portion 74A is connected to the rectangular portion 74B. The fitting hole 74C is located at the center of a circle formed by extending the outer peripheral surface of the semicircular portion 74A. The fitting hole 74C is rotatably fitted with the end 65d of the rotating shaft 65c protruding from the encoder plate 71 (refer to FIG. Figure 12 ). Thus, the cover member 58 is positioned relative to the encoder plate 71 and the housing member 51.

[0100] The fixing portions 75A and 75B are located on both sides of the cover body 74. The receiving portion 76 is formed at one end of the rectangular portion 74B. The contact portion 77 is arranged at a position continuous with the receiving portion 76. The fixing portions 75A and 75B are connected to the screw member 78 (see FIG. Figure 14 ) is screwed and fastened to the housing member 51. Thus, the cover member 58 is attached to the housing member 51. That is, the cover member 58 is held by the housing member 51.

[0101] Furthermore, the fixing portions 75A and 75B are screwed together with the screw member 78, and the pressing member 79 is also tightened (see Figure 14 The pressing member 79 is fixed to the outside of the cover member 58. The pressing member 79 contacts the end portion 65d of the rotating shaft 65c (see FIG. Figure 12 ). Thus, the rotation shaft 65c is restricted from moving in the axial direction.

[0102] like Figure 16 As shown, the accommodating portion 76 has an opening portion 81 for accommodating at least a portion of the photointerrupter 72, a groove portion 82 for accommodating at least a portion of the fixed slit plate 73, and reference holding portions 83A and 83B (reference Figure 15 ) and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B (reference Figure 15 ).

[0103] The groove 82 is formed to correspond to the thickness of the fixed slit plate 73 and is arranged at a position passing through the opening 81. When the cover member 58 is mounted on the housing member 51 and the fixed slit plate 73 is accommodated in the groove 82, the fixed slit plate 73 is positioned parallel to the encoder plate 71 (refer to Figure 12 ).

[0104] The contact portion 77 is arranged at a position continuous with the groove portion 82. The contact portion 77 contacts the fixed slit plate 73 accommodated in the groove portion 82. Thus, the fixed slit plate 73 is restricted from moving in the axial direction A. The axial direction A refers to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 65c, which is also the axial direction of the encoder plate 71. The fixed slit plate 73 and the screw member 85 (refer to Figure 14 ) is screwed and fastened to the cover member 58. Thus, the fixed slit plate 73 is attached to the cover member 58. Moreover, when the fixed slit plate 73 is attached to the cover member 58, positioning in the radial direction D and the circumferential direction R is also performed.

[0105] like Figure 17 As shown, the opening 81 is formed corresponding to the outer shape of the photointerrupter 72. When the photointerrupter 72 is accommodated in the opening 81, the light emitting portion 72A and the light receiving portion 72B are arranged at the position of clamping the encoder plate 71 and the fixed slit plate 73 (refer to Figure 12 ). In addition, Figures 17 to 20 In order to avoid complication of the drawings, the illustration of the fixed slit plate 73 is omitted.

[0106] The opening 81, the reference holding portions 83A, 83B, and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B correspond to the "positioning portion" in the technical solution. This "positioning portion" positions the photointerrupter 72 relative to the fixed slit plate 73. The reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B are located within the opening 81.

[0107] The opening 81 has an inner front end surface 81A and inner side surfaces 81B and 81C. The inner front end surface 81A is disposed opposite the front end surface 72C of the photointerrupter 72. The inner side surfaces 82B and 82C are disposed opposite the side surfaces 72D and 72E of the photointerrupter 72.

[0108] The front end face 72C of the photointerrupter 72 refers to the side on which the encoder plate 71 and the fixing slit plate 73 are located when the photointerrupter 72 is housed in the opening 81, that is, the front end face in the radial direction D. The side faces 72D and 72E of the photointerrupter 72 are continuous with the front end face 72C and have the light emitting portion 72A and the light receiving portion 72B disposed therebetween. In other words, the side faces 72D and 72E are disposed at different positions in the circumferential direction R relative to the light emitting portion 72A and the light receiving portion 72B.

[0109] like Figure 18 As shown, the inner side surfaces 81B and 81C of the opening portion 81 are surfaces parallel to the radial direction D. The reference holding portions 83A and 83B are provided on the inner side surface 81B. The deformable holding portions 84A and 84B are provided on the inner side surface 81C. That is, the reference holding portion 83A and the deformable holding portion 84A are provided at opposite positions, and the reference holding portion 83B and the deformable holding portion 84B are provided at opposite positions. Moreover, the interval between the reference holding portion 83A and the deformable holding portion 84A, and the interval between the reference holding portion 83B and the deformable holding portion 84B are in agreement with the width direction dimension L31 (reference L31) of the side surfaces 72D and 72E of the photointerrupter 72. Figure 17 ) are formed correspondingly. Thus, the photointerrupter 72 is held between the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B.

[0110] The deformable retaining portions 84A and 84B are protrusions that protrude from the inner side surface 81C in the circumferential direction R. The protrusion amount P (the dimension in the circumferential direction R) of the deformable retaining portions 84A and 84B is within the external tolerance range of the photointerrupter 72. Furthermore, the dimension L41 in the radial direction D of the deformable retaining portions 84A and 84B is equal to the protrusion amount P. When the external tolerance range of the photointerrupter 72 is, for example, 0 mm to 0.1 mm, the protrusion amount P of the deformable retaining portions 84A and 84B is preferably set to 0.1 mm or less.

[0111] The dimension L42 of the radial direction D of the reference holding portions 83A and 83B is longer than the dimension L41 of the radial direction of the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B, and the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B are shaped sufficiently to hold the photointerrupter 72. When the photointerrupter 72 is accommodated in the opening 81, the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B are pressed and deformed by the photointerrupter 72. As a result, the photointerrupter 72 is held between the reference holding portions 83A and 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B, thereby achieving positioning in the circumferential direction R.

[0112] The photointerrupter 72 held and positioned by the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B is fixed to the housing 51 by a fixing member. In this embodiment, the fixing member fixing the photointerrupter 72 is a screw member 86 (fastening member) fastened to the housing 51.

[0113] [Function of the positioning unit]

[0114] As described above, the photointerrupter 72 is held between the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B. With the photointerrupter 72 housed in the opening 81 and held by the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B, the photointerrupter 72 is inserted into the opening 81 from the front end surface 72C.

[0115] like Figure 19 As shown in (A), the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B abut against the photointerrupter 72 inserted into the opening 81. The protrusion P of the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B is very small within the outer shape tolerance of the photointerrupter 72, and thus is deformed by pressure from the photointerrupter 72.

[0116] like Figure 19 As shown in FIG. 8B , when the photointerrupter 72 is accommodated in the opening 81, the deformable retaining portions 84A and 84B, pressed by the photointerrupter 72, deform to retain the photointerrupter 72. The front end surface 72C of the photointerrupter 72 is pressed into a position abutting against the inner front end surface 81A of the opening 81, and the photointerrupter 72 is accommodated in the opening 81. This positions the photointerrupter 72 in the radial direction D.

[0117] As described above, the photointerrupter 72 is held between the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B, thereby being positioned in the circumferential direction R. The fixed slit plate 73 is positioned relative to the encoder plate 71 , and thus the photointerrupter 72 is positioned relative to the fixed slit plate 73 .

[0118] like Figure 20As shown, if the structure lacks a reference retaining portion and a deformable retaining portion, as in conventional printers, the photointerrupter 72 inserted into the opening 81 may be inserted at an angle relative to the radial direction D. When inserted at an angle, the position of the photointerrupter 72 is offset relative to the fixed slit plate 73, and insufficient light from the light emitting portion 72A may reach the light aperture 73A of the fixed slit plate 73. In this case, the light intensity limited by the light aperture 73A cannot be received by the light receiving portion 72B, and the photointerrupter 72 cannot output a rotation detection signal for the conveyor roller 53. This requires reassembly of the photointerrupter 72, resulting in poor yield and increased production costs. Furthermore, reducing the gap between the photointerrupter 72 and the opening 81 makes insertion into the opening 81 difficult, resulting in a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.

[0119] In contrast, the printer unit 13 of this embodiment includes a positioning unit comprising reference holding portions 83A, 83B and deformable holding portions 84A, 84B. This allows the photointerrupter 72 to be positioned relative to the fixed slit plate 73 without tilting. Consequently, sufficient light from the light emitting portion 72A reaches the light aperture 73A of the fixed slit plate 73. This light is then limited by the light aperture 73A and received by the light receiving portion 72B. Consequently, the photointerrupter 72 can output a rotation detection signal for the transport roller 53.

[0120] As described above, the photointerrupter 72 can be accurately positioned relative to the fixed slit plate 73 by a simple operation of inserting the photointerrupter 72 into the opening 81. Furthermore, the yield rate is improved, and cost increase can be suppressed.

[0121] In the above embodiments, a single-sheet instant film is exemplified as a sheet-like recording medium, but this is not limiting. Any recording medium may be used, such as thermal paper or inkjet paper. Furthermore, when the recording medium is thermal paper, the printer becomes a thermal printer, while when the recording medium is inkjet paper, the printer becomes an inkjet printer. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, examples of the present invention being applied to a digital camera with a printer are provided, but this is not limiting; the present invention may also be applied to a single printer. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, examples of the present invention being applied to a digital camera with a printer are provided, but this is not limiting; the present invention may also be applied to an analog camera with a printer.

[0122] In the above-described embodiment, the hardware configuration of the processing unit (processing unit) that executes various processes, such as the control unit 62, is composed of various processors as described below. These processors include general-purpose processors such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) that execute software (programs) to function as various processing units, as well as processors such as GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configurations can be modified after manufacture, such as programmable logic devices (PLDs), and processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute various processes, such as dedicated circuits.

[0123] A processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors, or may be composed of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, a CPU and an FPGA, or a combination of a CPU and a GPU, etc.). In addition, multiple processing units may be composed of one processor. As an example of a plurality of processing units composed of one processor, first, there is the following method: as represented by computers such as clients or servers, a processor is composed of a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and the processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, there is the following method: as represented by a system on chip (SoC), a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units by using one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. In this way, various processing units are composed of one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware structure.

[0124] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware configuration of these various processors is a circuit in the form of a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0125] Explanation of symbols

[0126] 10-digital camera with printer, 11-camera body, 12-camera unit, 13-printer part, 15-camera window, 16-release switch, 17-back display part, 18-operation part, 19-camera optical system, 20-imaging element, 21-film discharge port, 22-loading cover, 22a-hinge part, 22b-film pressing part, 23-loading chamber, 24-instant film packaging box, 26-shell, 27-film pressing plate, 27a, 27b-film, 27c-opening, 27d-hole, 27e-opening, 27f-hole, 27g-lower end, 27h-lower end, 28-instant film, 28 a-exposure surface, 30-film cover, 31-housing component, 31a-exposure opening, 31b-notch, 31c-delivery port, 31d-light-shielding seal, 32-cover, 32a-opening, 32b-unit support protrusion, 32c-rivet pin, 32d-support sheet, 33-mask sheet, 33a-screen opening, 34-photosensitive film, 35-cover sheet, 36-developer liquid capsule, 37-collecting part, 38-developer liquid, 39-gap, 40-image observation surface, 50-exposure head, 51-housing component, 52-roller drive mechanism, 53-conveyor roller, 54-unwinding roller, 55-unwinding control component, 56-front end detection Detection switch, 57-rotation detection sensor, 58-cover component, 59-claw component, 59a-front end, 61-claw component driving mechanism, 62-control part, 65-active roller, 65a-holding roller component, 65b, 66b-driving gear, 65c, 66c-rotating shaft, 65d-end, 66-pinching roller, 66a-roller component, 67, 68-unwinding roller, 71-encoder plate, 71A-slit, 72-photoelectric interrupter, 72A-light emitting part, 72B-light receiving part, 72C-front end surface, 72D, 72E-side, 73-fixed slit plate, 73A-light aperture slit, 74-cover body, 7 4A-semicircular portion, 74B-rectangular portion, 74C-fitting hole, 75A, 75B-fixing portion, 76-accommodating portion, 77-abutting portion, 78-threaded component, 79-pressing component, 81-opening portion, 81A-inner front end surface, 81B, 81C-inner side surface, 82-groove portion, 83A, 83B-reference holding portion, 84A, 84B-deformable holding portion, 85-threaded component, 86-threaded component, A-axial direction, D-radial direction, EP-exposure position, L11, L12, L21, L22, L31, L41, L42-size, P-protrusion amount, R-circumferential direction, X, Y, Z-direction.

Claims

1. A printer comprising: an encoder plate that rotates in conjunction with the conveyance of the recording medium and has radial slits; a photointerrupter that irradiates light to the encoder plate and receives the light, and outputs a rotation detection signal; a fixed slit plate for limiting the light irradiated by the photointerrupter; and The positioning portion positions the photointerrupter relative to the fixed slit plate and includes a reference holding portion and a deformable holding portion provided at a position opposite to the reference holding portion, wherein the deformable holding portion deforms to hold the photointerrupter.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein The photointerrupter is held by being sandwiched between the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion.

3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein The deformable holding portion is a protrusion protruding in a circumferential direction of the encoder plate.

4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein The protrusion amount of the deformable holding portion is within the outer shape tolerance range of the photointerrupter.

5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein The positioning portion has an opening portion for accommodating at least a portion of the photointerrupter, and the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion are located inside the opening portion. The printer according to claim 5 , wherein: When the photointerrupter is accommodated in the opening, the deformable holding portion is pressed by the photointerrupter and deformed.

7. The printer according to claim 1, comprising: A fixing member fixes the photointerrupter positioned by the positioning portion.

8. The printer according to claim 7, comprising: a housing member that holds the encoder plate and the positioning portion, The fixing component is a fastening component fastened to the housing component.

9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein A conveying roller is provided for conveying the recording medium, and the encoder plate is coaxially arranged with the conveying roller.

10. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The recording medium is an instant film, The printer includes an exposure head that exposes the instant film to light and records an image.

11. A digital camera with a printer, wherein: The digital camera has: The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and The imaging element that captures the subject, The recording medium is an instant film, The printer includes an exposure head configured to expose the image captured by the imaging element onto the instant film.

Images